Evaluation of DMFT, salivary pH and salivary buffering capacity in patients with and without calculus referring to Isfahan Faculty of Dentistry

Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases of the oral cavity, with many factors as etiologic agents. The aim of the present study was to compare DMFT, salivary pH and salivary buffering capacity in two group of individuals with and without dental calculus.

This case-control in vitro study was carried out on 88 patients referring to Isfahan Faculty of Dentistry. DMFT, salivary pH and salivary buffering capacities were measured in two groups of 44 (with and without dental calculus). Clinical examination was used for calculus measurements and clinical examination along with bite-wing radiographs were used for DMFT and proximal caries. Data was analyzed with t-test using SPSS software (α = 0.05).

The case group consisted of 20 females (45.5%) and 24 males (54.5%); the control group consisted of 14 females (32%) and 30 males (68%). Means of DMFT, salivary pH and salivary buffering capacity values were 8.0455, 7.1661 and 1841 percent in the case and 6.9318, 7.0877 and 1559 percent in the control groups, respectively. The results did not demonstrate any significant differences between the two groups regarding the indexes evaluated (p value < 0.05).

Under the limits of the present study, it was concluded that the amount of dental calculus is not associated with DMFT, salivary pH and salivary buffering capacity.