Abstract:

Objective: Melatonin, a hormone secreted predominantly by pineal gland in a circadian manner, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The current research is conducted to explore the influence of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on levels of salivary melatonin in subjects with gingivitis and periodontitis. Methods: Sixty systemically healthy participants were included in this study; the groups are as follows: gingivitis (G), chronic periodontitis (CP), generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP) and periodontally healthy (H). NSPT was applied to G group patients for 2 sessions, to CP and GAP group patients for 4 sessions. Plaque and gingival indices, probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were documented at baseline and 3 months post – treatment and early morning salivary samples were collected. ELISA was used to detect melatonin levels in saliva. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was performed to evaluate of sleep quality of patients. Results: At baseline, significant difference in gingival index, PD, BOP and CAL values was detected among all groups (p<0.05). Following NSPT, clinical measurements improved in G, CP, and GAP groups significantly (p<0.05). While salivary melatonin concentration of all groups was similar at baseline (p>0.05), a significant elevation in the level of salivary melatonin was found only in the G group after NSPT (p<0.05). PSQI scores differed significantly among groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The salivary melatonin levels in the presence of gingivitis and periodontitis varied at baseline and elevated following NSPT parallel to the improvement in clinical parameters.

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