The Effect of Dental Plaque Accumulation on Secretory IgA in Saliva

The purpose of this study was to determine in human subjects whether there is a correlation between dental plaque accumulation , parotid and whole secretory IgA (S-IgA) concentrations and minute secretion rates of S-IgA over a six week period. Eighteen healthy, male freshmen dental students were instructed to refrain from oral hygiene care for six weeks. Accumulation of plaque on the teeth of the subjects was measured and recorded weekly using plaque index scores, and parotid and whole salivary samples were collected on a weekly basis. These samples were analyzed quantitatively with respect to flow rate and for concentration of S-IgA in the saliva using an electro-immunodiffusion method. Minute secretion rates of S-IgA were calculated for the whole and parotid saliva samples using the flow rates and concentrations. The results showed a statistically significant increase in the minute secretion rates of S-IgA from the parotid glands of the subjects over the experimental period. This increase was probably due to a combination of an increase in flow rate over the first throe weeks together with a substantial increase in S-IgA concentration in the last two weeks. The increase in minute secretion rates was positively correlated with a statistically significant increase in the accumulation of dental plaque. There were no correlations between dental plaque accumulation and whole saliva concentrations or minute secretion rates of S-IgA in the subjects.

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

1974

Author dc:creator

• Mitcham, Wilbur Thomas

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cassingham, R. Jack

Statement dc:rights

• A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10504/118420

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/118420