Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the influence of salivary CAVI on the dental caries status of children receiving fixed and interceptive orthodontic treatment and compare them to children who were not receiving orthodontic treatment.

Methods: The study participants comprised 60 patients aged 9–14 years allocated to one of three groups Control patients (with no fixed or interceptive treatment carried out), patients with interceptive orthodontic appliance and patients with fixed orthodontic appliance. All the participants were examined for DMFT/dmft, OHI and PH. Saliva was collected by sterile pasture pipette or by passive drool method. CAVI was estimated by using a commercially available Elisa kit.

Results: CAVI levels in the fixed orthodontic group exhibit the highest levels of the enzyme whereas in the control groups had the lowest levels. When the CAVI levels among groups were subjected to the Scheffe’s post hoc test it was observed that while a significant difference existed between the CAVI levels and the other two groups (p<0.05) no significant differences were observed between the control group and the interceptive orthodontic group.

Conclusion: Children undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment have significantly higher CAVI expression than those undergoing interceptive orthodontic treatment or controls. There is no significant difference in the CAVI levels of children undergoing interceptive orthodontic treatment and controls who were matched for oral hygiene and DMFT.

Keywords: Carbonic Anhydrase 6; Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment; Fixed orthodontic