A simplified quantitative test--adapted Checkbuf test--for resting saliva buffering capacity compared with a standard...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Dental Research
• Salivary Diagnostics

Background:

• Saliva's buffering capacity is crucial for oral health.
• Existing quantitative tests often focus on stimulated saliva.
• Accurate measurement of resting saliva buffering is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• Adapt the quantitative Checkbuf test for resting saliva.
• Evaluate the correlation between the adapted Checkbuf test and the Ericsson test for resting saliva.

Main Methods:

• Collected resting saliva from 112 patients.
• Assessed buffering capacity using the adapted Checkbuf test and compared it with the Ericsson test and other commercial tests.
• Analyzed agreement using Cohen kappa coefficient.

Main Results:

• Significant positive agreement (kappa = 0.708) was found between the adapted Checkbuf test and the Ericsson test for resting saliva.
• No agreement was observed between the Ericsson test and three other tested methods.

Conclusions:

• The adapted Checkbuf test is a useful tool for assessing resting saliva buffering capacity.
• The adapted Checkbuf test performs reliably, even in subjects with low salivary flow rates.