BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS - A TOOL TO DETECT ORAL DISEASES

Abstract

Oral and systemic health  are integral component. Most common dental diseases are dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, pulpitis as well as periapical pathosis. In recent times in India oral cancer is a disease of major concern. The key biochemical changes occur in these diseases are loss of collagen due to degradation. There are several ways by which extracellular matrix can be degraded. Most of these are directly or indirectly interlinked with the release of enzymes by host or pathogen, generation of reactive oxygen species, cytokine release or influence of inflammatory mediators and apoptotic proteins. The elevated levels of these molecules are an indicator of inflammation hence they can be used as biomarkers as well as medicinal target.