Estimation of copper in saliva and areca nut products and its correlation with histological grades of oral submucous fibrosis

Background The purpose of this study was to estimate the copper levels in saliva of patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and different areca nut products and its correlation with different histological grades of OSF. Methods The study comprised 60 individuals, 30 OSF patients and 30 non‐OSF individuals. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected, and copper analysis was performed using colorimetric method. The commercial areca nut products used by the patients were acquired and subjected to copper analysis through the atomic absorption spectrophotometer method. Oral biopsies were performed for OSF patients for histopathological correlation. Results The mean salivary copper level was 27.023 μg/dl in OSF patients when compared with 8.393 μg/dl in non‐OSF individuals (P