Evaluation of salivary stress biomarker changes after the insertion of complete dentures

Abstract

Introduction/Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between salivary stress markers [salivary α-amylase (sAA) and pH], and patients’ stress with new dentures. Methods An intra-individual evaluation was done, in which 30 participants older than 65 years, both sexes, in good general health, first-time complete dentures (CDs) wearers, took part. Measuring of stress biomarkers was done in the unstimulated saliva collected by the so-called spitting method: (1) before any prosthetic treatment, (2) after insertion of a new pair of CDs, and (3) two months after CDs delivery. Results Upon evaluating the obtained data it was observed that the sAA values steadily increased and by the end of the observation period sAA was higher in women but without statistical significance. The pH values increased until the second follow-up period, after which they dropped. The post-hoc test showed a statistically significant difference in pH values between the first vs. the second (p = 0.005) and the second vs. the third (p = 0.001) follow-up periods. Conclusion There was a non-significant increase in sAA values during the adaptation period. The biggest difference in sAA values between men and women was at the moment of insertion of dentures. The highest pH level was after the insertion of dentures. Since sAA changes were of no statistical significance, the sAA and pH values cannot be used as a reliable biomarker in saliva for observing the patients’ adaptation, psychological, and emotional issues.