Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of Type I Collagen fragments ICTP (cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen) and CTX (C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva in the leveling and alignment phase of orthodontic tooth movement.
Materials and methods: Fourteen adolescent patients [5 males, 9 females; mean age = 15.5 yrs (range = 13.1 - 17.6)] with moderate mandibular incisor crowding were fitted with preadjusted edgewise brackets and 0.014 nickel-titanium (NiTi) wires. The main outcome measure was the levels of CTX and ICTP in the GCF and saliva. Samples were obtained from lower anterior teeth at 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after appliance placement. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of ICTP and CTX in the collected samples.
Results: GCF and saliva ICTP and CTX levels did not significantly change between the time points. A statistically significant positive correlation and agreement was found between the levels of ICTP and CTX in saliva (P= 0.0001). However, there was no statistically significant correlation between the GCF and salivary levels of either ICTP or CTX or between ICTP and CTX levels in GCF. The CTX saliva level was not a statistically significant predictor of ICTP in saliva (p = 0.986).
Conclusion: Changes in ICTP and CTX levels in human GCF and saliva cannot be used as biological biomarkers during the initial stage of orthodontic tooth movement in adolescent patients.