Salivary clearance of sugar before and after insertion of fixed partial dentures

Background: The development of carious lesions is dependent on the presence of acid-producing microflora in the mouth. The activity of these plaque bacteria is dependent on sugar, which diffuses from the saliva following carbohydrate intake. The sugar serves as a substrate for fermentation, producing organic acids that demineralize tooth enamel. Elimination of the sugar from the mouth is accomplished by dilution with newly secreted saliva, a process generally referred to as sugar clearence. Objectives: Determine if fixed partial prosthodontic treatment affects the length of salivary sugar clearance. Materials and methods: Fifteen male subjects age between 21 and 32, and requiring 10 porcelain fixed partial dentures were included in this study. Before receiving their dentures, the subjects, rinsed with a 10% sucrose solution for 30 seconds then gave saliva samples. The prpcedure was repeated one month after the dentures were put in place. The length of sugar clearance was calculated. Results: Salivary sugar was cleared in 14.89±0.89 minutes before the denture application and in 18.86± 0.90 minutes after denture treatment. The initial sucrose concentration was 113.63±1.29 mmol/L before the dentures and 142.99±10.82 mmol/L after the dentures. Conclusion: The use of fixed partial dentures does not affect the time required to clear salivary sugar or the level of the initial sucrose concentration.