Salivary SIgA and dental caries activity

This case-control study was conducted to determine the protective role of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) levels in the unstimulated whole saliva of dental caries active (Group I and II) and caries free children (Group III). Thirty children aged 4–8 years were selected. Their DMFT (Decayed Missing Filled teeth for permanent teeth) and/or df-t (decayed, filled teeth for deciduous teeth) scores were determined and the salivary SIgA levels were measured using Immunoturbidometry. SIgA levels of all three groups were in the the normal range of 4–30 mg/dL. The SIgA levels for both Group I and II were less than that in Group III (P=0.018 and P=0.0013, respectively).