Comparative study on mineralization-related intraoral parameters in periodontitis-affected and periodontitis-free adults

The parameters related to an intraoral mineralization tendency in periodontitis-affected (P+) and periodontitis-free (P-) study subjects (16 adults, 46-74 yr, matched for sex and age) were compared. For this purpose the calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) concentration of both plaque and saliva, resting pH and the acidogenic response of interdental plaque, plaque wet weight, salivary flow rate, buffering capacity and sucrase activity, interdental plaque, plaque S. mutans levels as well as salivary lactobacilli and yeast levels were estimated. Plaque Ca (micrograms/mg protein, P less than 0.025) and P (micrograms/mg protein, P less than 0.05), saliva Ca (micrograms/ml, P less than 0.005) and the saliva Ca:P ratio (P less than 0.005) were higher in the P+ than in the P- group. The resting pH values were higher (P less than 0.025) and the acidogenic response of the interdental plaque was lower (P less than 0.025) in the P+ group than in the P- group. The P+ group had lower S. mutans levels in saliva and interdental plaque. No differences were found in the wet weight of plaque and in the flow rate, buffering capacity or sucrase activity of saliva between the groups. The findings of the mineralization-related parameters in the two "extreme" groups of periodontal status suggest a higher intraoral mineralization tendency in periodontitis-affected persons than in periodontitis-free subjects. Ca and P accumulation of supragingival plaque seem to be connected with low acidogenicity of plaque and high salivary Ca concentration.