Salivary pH in edentulous patients before and after wearing conventional dentures and implant overdentures: a clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
Objective of this prospective study were to point out the changes of pH of resting saliva before and after prosthetic treatment in implant denture wearers.


METHODS
The study sample comprised 2 groups of edentulous patients, ranging in age from 50 to 80, who had not worn complete dentures in the past. First group was composed of 60 patients, who were planned for complete denture treatment. Second group consisted of 15 patients, who were planned for implant dentures treatment. Two measurements of pH of unstimulated saliva were carried out for each person. The salivary pH was measured before the construction of complete dentures and 15 days after the insertion. The measurements of pH of saliva were made using Electro pH meter-CONSORT-P903 (Scientific Instruments Co., Milan, Italy).


RESULTS
Data were statistically analyzed by t test for paired observations. The outcome of this study showed, significant statistical differences on the values of saliva's pH 15 days after the insertion of complete dentures and dentures supported by implants (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Within the limitations of this study, changes of salivary pH were found after the insertion of conventional dentures and dentures supported by implants.
Nikolopoulou
Fotoula
F
Department of Prosthodontics, Dental School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. fnikolop@dent.uoa.gr
Tzortzopoulou
Eugenia
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003824:Denture, Complete; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*