This observational cross-sectional study compared salivary biomarkers among adults with different types of implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation and periodontally healthy adults with natural teeth. A total of 107 participants were included in four groups: periodontally healthy individuals with natural teeth, patients with implant-supported partial fixed prostheses and remaining natural teeth, patients with full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses, and patients with implant-retained overdentures. The study measured three biomarkers in unstimulated whole saliva: secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). These biomarkers are related to oral immune responses and tissue remodeling. The main aim was to determine whether salivary biomarker levels differed according to dentition status and type of implant-supported prosthesis. The study also examined relationships between these biomarkers and clinical parameters, including probing depth. No experimental treatment or intervention was assigned by the study protocol.
This single-center, observational, cross-sectional study evaluated salivary biomarker profiles across different dentition statuses and implant-supported prosthetic configurations. Participants were classified into four groups according to dentition status and type of prosthetic rehabilitation: periodontally healthy, fully dentate individuals without implants; patients with implant-supported partial fixed prostheses and remaining natural teeth; patients rehabilitated with full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses; and patients rehabilitated with implant-retained overdentures. Clinical examination included periodontal and peri-implant probing depth measurements. The numbers of natural teeth and dental implants were also recorded. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected under standardized conditions and analyzed for secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The primary objective was to compare salivary concentrations of sIgA, MMP-8, and MMP-9 among the four groups. Secondary objectives were to evaluate associations between biomarker concentrations and clinical parameters and to explore the ability of these biomarkers to distinguish among different dentition statuses and prosthetic configurations. Because the study was observational, participants were not assigned to any treatment, intervention, or prosthetic rehabilitation under the study protocol. All prosthetic rehabilitations were in place before study enrollment.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
107
Akdeniz University Faculty of Dentistry
Antalya, Antalya, Turkey (Türkiye)
Salivary MMP-9 Concentration
Concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in unstimulated whole saliva, measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reported in ng/mL.
Time frame: At saliva collection, a single time point at least 24 hours after the clinical examination.
Salivary MMP-8 Concentration
Concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in unstimulated whole saliva, measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reported in ng/mL.
Time frame: At saliva collection, a single time point at least 24 hours after the clinical examination.
Salivary Secretory Immunoglobulin A Concentration
Concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in unstimulated whole saliva, measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reported in µg/mL.
Time frame: At saliva collection, a single time point at least 24 hours after the clinical examination.
Association Between Salivary Biomarkers and Probing Depth
Associations between salivary MMP-8, MMP-9, and sIgA concentrations and probing depth at natural teeth and dental implants, assessed using Spearman rank correlation coefficients.
Time frame: Clinical probing depth measured at the study visit, with saliva collected at least 24 hours after the clinical examination.
Discriminative Ability of Salivary Biomarkers Across Study Groups
The ability of salivary MMP-8, MMP-9, and sIgA concentrations to discriminate between dentition and prosthetic configuration groups, evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and area under the curve (AUC).
Time frame: At saliva collection, a single time point at least 24 hours after the clinical examination.
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