Estimation of salivary level of calcium in chronic periodontitis patients: A biochemical study

Background: Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Ca is the widely studied inorganic constituent as a possible biomarker for periodontal disease. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the salivary levels of calcium in chronic periodontitis patients and healthy patients. Methods: A total of 40 patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 20 individuals with healthy gingiva of probing depth ≤3mm, GI<1, PI<1 and CAL=0 and Group 2 consisted of 20 individuals with diagnosis of CP having PPD ≥ 5 mm, GI >1, PI> 1 and CAL≥ 3mm. Whole saliva samples were collected and subjected to estimation of salivary calcium levels. The results were analyzed by SPSS and Mann– Whitney analysis. Results: The level of salivary calcium increased as the disease progressed from health to periodontitis. The highest calcium levels from the Saliva were detected in group 2 while the lowest were detected in group 1. The results showed that the subjects in the periodontitis group had the higher levels of salivary calcium than the healthy group. Conclusion: The level of calcium was higher in the saliva of chronic periodontitis patients. Salivary calcium level can be used as biomarker for detection of periodontal disease.