Salivary buffer and caries
Mickenautsch S*, Yengopal V*, Bonecker M**, Oliveira LB***
*Division of Public Oral Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
**Department of Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil
***São Leopoldo Mandic Research Center, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Abstract
There is inconclusive evidence.
This abstract is prepared and maintained by Midentistry, currently published in The MI Compendium, 3rd edition, Copyright © 2009 Midentistry. The full data of this review is available in http://www.midentistry.com/secure-folder/content/3/mic12D1.asp (ISBN: 0-620-34080-0)
This record should be cited as: Mickenautsch S, Yengopal V, Bonecker M, Oliveira LB. Salivary buffer and caries. Minim Interv Comp Database Syst Rev 2008; 1: RV02420080909.
This version first published online: September 30, 2008
Last revised: September 30, 2008
Objectives
To assess whether salivary buffer capacity is associated with the caries rate.
Search strategy
The trials were identified from a search of the PubMed database on: September 9, 2008 using the terms: ("Dental Caries"[Mesh] OR "Dental Caries Susceptibility"[Mesh] OR "Root Caries"[Mesh]) AND saliva buffer and from a search of the LILACS database on: September 23, 2008 using the terms: Cárie dentária AND saliva
Inclusion criteria
All in-vivo or in-situ randomized/quasi-randomized control trials; case control trials (CCT) and COHORT studies with relevance to review question; published in English or Portuguese.
Data collection and analysis
A total of 15 articles were identified reporting on 18 separate trials: 2 COHORT studies; 16 CCTs.
Main results
The results of the COHORT studies show no association (or causality) between low buffer capacity and caries rate. Of the 16 CCTs, 7 showed a significantly lower buffer capacity (p<0.05) in the test group than in the control group. Nine CCTs showed no significant difference. They had a significant weighted mean difference (p<0.05) in the caries rate between test- and control group, despite the fact that the buffer capacity of both groups was the same (p>0.05) thus indicating a lack of association between low buffer capacity and caries rate.
Authors' conclusions
So far only conflicting data containing a high degree of potential bias could be identified. More high quality studies are need in order to answer this question.
