Correlation Between Salivary Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinases 2,9 and Caries Incidence in An Indian Population

Aim: To evaluate the salivary Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and Matrix metalloproteinase 9 activity in participants with high caries index and to compare it with that of caries free participants. Materials and Methods: Unstimulated salivary samples of 100 high and low caries index participants were collected within the age group of 18-60. The mean pH of all the samples was tested with a pH meter. The activity of Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 was determined using gelatin zymography. Result: Mean salivary pH of high caries index participants were significantly higher than that of caries free participants. Also,gelatinase activity determined using gelatin zymography was significantly higher in the salivary samples of the participants with high caries index than that of the low caries index participants. Conclusion: Salivary MMP2 and MMP9 was determined to be more active in high caries index participants saliva than that of caries free participants. Thus, this was predictive of the enhanced activity of MMP 2 and MMP 9 which are gelatinases. This directs towards the significance of MMP 2 and MMP 9’s role in the degradation of dentine collagen matrix and thereby caries progression.