title: Salivary alpha-amylase activity: a possible indicator of pain-induced stress in orthodontic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pain, a common experience reported by orthodontic patients, has its intensity assessed with the help of subjective scales, which have a limited and disputable value. Such unpleasant experience, which may raise stress levels, is reflected by an increase in the salivary concentration of alpha-amylase.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assess the correlation between the salivary levels of alpha-amylase and pain intensity reported by patients during orthodontic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty male patients (11-37 years of age) were assessed daily, before treatment, after bracket bonding, and after initial arch wire insertion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Saliva was sampled for alpha-amylase analysis, and pain intensity was measured with the visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no correlation between alpha-amylase concentrations in the saliva and pain intensity, although the patients had a significant and progressive increase of alpha-amylase levels during the assessment period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings may reflect the psychological stress caused by the presence and activation of the fixed appliance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Juiz de Fora Federal University, Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcio José da Silva
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Nádia Rezende Barbosa
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Raposo
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Robert Willer Farinazzo
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Vitral
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases