Evaluation of Psychological Stress Marker in Partially Edentulous Indian Adults Restored with Fixed Dental Prosthesis – A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies have established mastication as a stress relaxation behavior in humans. Absence of teeth compromises mastication, increasing psychologic stress in individuals depicted by many physiologic changes in body. Quantitative level of psychologic stress bio-markers serve as indicators of underlying physical ailment. Lesser literatures are available in determining the role of alpha amylase stress bio marker in partially edentulous clinical situations. AIM: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the levels of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) stress biomarker in partially edentulous subjects before and after restoration with fixed dental prosthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty partially edentulous patients with missing mandibular first molar were selected for this study. Two questionnaires, state trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and perceived stress scale (PSS) was used to evaluate stress and anxiety levels of participants. The recruited participants were treated with metal ceramic fixed dental prosthesis (FDP). A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to determine the patient satisfaction .Unstimulated salivary samples were collected preoperative, 3rd and 6th month post FDP placement. Level of sAA was estimated. Data obtained in the form of mean ± SD was subjected to statistical analysis using paired sample t-test (α=.05). RESULTS: The salivary alpha amylase level was highest with mean of 36.73 μM/min/mg ptn before restoration with FDP. In the third month after prosthesis placement, the enzyme values decreased to16.62 μM/min/mg ptn and least value of 8.58 μM/min/mg ptn was detected in sixth month (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The salivary alpha amylase stress biomarker decreased after tooth replacement with FDP.