Correlation between Dental Caries and Salivary Albumin in Adult Indian Population–An In Vivo Study

Aim: To analyze the relationship between dental caries, albumin in young adults between the age group of 20 to 30 years from South Canara district, Karnataka with varying caries experience as determined by their caries progression
Methods and Materials: Eighty subjects from the outpatient department ranging between 20 to 30 years of age were screened and evaluated for their caries experience. Based on their level of caries a total of 80 subjects were selected and divided into four groups of 20 subjects each as follows; Group 1: enamel caries, Group 2: dentinal caries, Group 3: pulpal caries, Group 4: control group. The saliva was collected and analyzed for the presence of albumin levels in saliva and correlated to the same levels in serum. The statistical analysis was done using one way ANOVA test.
Results: According to the present study there is an increase in the levels of caries with decrease in the levels of albumin. Serum albumin levels were also found to be decreased in caries prone individuals, hence showing a significant correlation between serum and salivary albumin levels.
Conclusions: In the present study we found an inverse relationship between the levels of albumin in saliva and dental caries confirming the importance of albumin levels in inhibiting caries progression. Besides a correlation was also found between the levels of albumin in saliva and serum. Hence it can be used as a biochemical indicator in evaluating the susceptibility of caries.