October 2013

Background: This preliminary study assesses the effects of initial periodontal treatment on salivary levels of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a marker of oxidative stress in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP). Methods: At baseline, clinical parameters and saliva samples were obtained from 20 patients with CP and 10 patients with clinically healthy periodontium. Saliva samples were collected, and clinical periodontal measurements were repeated at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after initial periodontal therapy in patients with CP. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to investigate 8-OHdG levels of saliva samples. Results: Statistically signifi cant higher 8-OHdG levels of saliva and a significant decrease after initial periodontal therapy were determined in the CP group (p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between 8-OHdG levels of saliva and clinical periodontal measurements (p < 0.001) Conclusion: Within the limits of this short-term preliminary study it can be concluded that the estimation of 8-OHdG levels in saliva may be used to evaluate the oxidative stress in periodontitis patients. It also appears that oxidative stress, which is reflected by salivary 8-OHdG levels, might reflect the present status of periodontal health.