Jasdeep Kaur, Balwant Rai.
Salivary levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in generalized periodontitis - a pilot study.
J Pak Dent Assoc Jan ;18(1):023-4.

OBJECTIVE: Periodontitis is usually a painless, slowly progressing infectious disease in tooth supporting tissues. The main etiological agents in periodontitis are dental plaque bacteria, especially gram negative micro organisms.The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether the salivary TNF-alpha concentration affect the periodontitis. METHODOLOGY: Salivary tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were estimated in 25 patients with periodontitis and ten healthy normal. Concentrations of TNF-alpha were determined using the human TNF-alpha ELISA kit(SIGMA Immuno-Chemicals St Louis, MO, USA). RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of Salivary tumor necrosis factor alpha were observed in periodontitis patients as compared to controls (p<0.00 l).Saliva provides an ideal medium for the detection of pro-inflammatory markers of the oral cavity. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary TNF-alpha analysis may be a l.1SCfi.Il diagnostic tool and a potential prognostic marker in periodontal disease.

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