Detection of type I collagen fragments in the gingival crevicular fluid and saliva during orthodontic tooth movement

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of Type I Collagen fragments ICTP (cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen) and CTX (C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva in the leveling and alignment phase of orthodontic tooth movement. Materials and methods: Fourteen adolescent patients [5 males, 9 females; mean age = 15.5 yrs (range = 13.1 - 17.6)] with moderate mandibular incisor crowding were fitted with preadjusted edgewise brackets and 0.014 nickel-titanium (NiTi) wires. The main outcome measure was the levels of CTX and ICTP in the GCF and saliva. Samples were obtained from lower anterior teeth at 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after appliance placement. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of ICTP and CTX in the collected samples. Results: GCF and saliva ICTP and CTX levels did not significantly change between the time points (GCF ICTP P= 0.529, GCF CTX P= 0.581, saliva ICTP P=