Abstract

DETERMINATION OF SKELETAL MATURATION USING SALIVARY ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE (ALP) AS A BIOCHEMICAL MARKER: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Jaydeep Samanta*, Ravindra Rekhade, Vivek Agarwal, Debapratim Jana, Aditya Mandal and Anirban Banerjee

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Abstract

Background:- Pubertal growth phase is calculated with the help of hand-wrist radiographs. Recently assessment of morphological changes of cervical vertebrae has also gained importance. In order to assess the skeletal maturity in an individual, the use of non-invasive biomarkers has attained much acceptance owing to non-invasive technique and low radiation exposure. Aim:- To evaluate salivary alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in growing patients and its possible role as skeletal maturation indicator. To compare the validity of ALP assessment with hand-wrist radiographic assessment (MP3) and cephalometric cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method. Material and Methods:- The study was conducted on 75 patients aged between 8 and 18 years for skeletal maturation. Saliva samples were collected and measured photospectrometrically. Hand-wrist radiographs were assessed by Hagg and Taranger method and Lateral cephalograms were assessed by Hassel and Farman method respectively. Results: Salivary ALP, MP3 and CVM were analysed using ANOVA test. The results showed significant correlation between the salivary alkaline phosphatase and cervical vertebral maturation methods. The highest mean ALP values were seen in peak stages of the pubertal growth. Conclusion: Salivary alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a potentially advantageous biochemical marker that can be used for evaluation of skeletal maturity owing to its non-invasive Technique and Less radiation exposure to the patients.

Keywords: Cervical Vertebral Maturation, Growth, Hand-wrist radiographs, Orthodontics.