Evaluation of reliability of salivary alkaline phosphatase in comparison to other methods of assessing the skeletal maturation

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Original Article

Author Details : Aastha Ahuja*, Anil Singla, Vivek Mahajan, Harupinder Singh Jaj, Indu Dhiman, Shikha Thakur

Volume : 8, Issue : 2, Year : 2024

Article Page : 190-197

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.jco.2024.028

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Abstract

Introduction: Evaluation of skeletal maturation is crucial to growth determination which in turn influences orthodontic treatment planning. Various methods employed for assessment are chronological age, hand wrist maturation, cervical vertebral maturation, and dental calcification. Recently, salivary Bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) have been introduced due to its role in the bone mineralization process.
Aims and Objectives: To test the alternate hypothesis that salivary alkaline phosphatase is a reliable indicator of skeletal maturity in comparison with other methods of assessment of skeletal maturation.
Materials and Methods: Total 112 subjects were selected out of 150 subjects on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, for participation in the study. For each subject, personal details including chronological age was noted. Height and weight measurements were done for calculation of body mass index (BMI). Further, Lateral Cephalogram and Orthopantomogram were obtained for assessment of cervical vertebrae maturation stages and Demirjian index. Then, an unstimulated salivary sample was collected for evaluation of alkaline phosphatase activity by colorimetric method. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The results of the present study showed that the highest correlation for skeletal maturation assessment was found with alkaline phosphatase activity.
Conclusion: The hypothesis is accepted. Salivary Alkaline Phosphatase proved to be reliable biomarker for assessment of skeletal maturation.

Keywords: Skeletal maturation, Biomarker, Salivary alkaline phosphatase, Cervical vertebrae maturation, Demirjian index

How to cite : Ahuja A, Singla A, Mahajan V, Jaj H S, Dhiman I, Thakur S, Evaluation of reliability of salivary alkaline phosphatase in comparison to other methods of assessing the skeletal maturation. J Contemp Orthod 2024;8(2):190-197

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