Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dental implant therapy is a top option for replacing lost or unsalvageable teeth. The most common placement protocols are immediate and delayed. A key factor for successful treatment is the stability of the marginal bone, which can be evaluated through radiography and salivary biomarkers. This study evaluated the relationship between salivary alkaline phosphatase levels and the alveolar crest bone height in immediate and delayed implants. METHODS: This study involved 62 patients: 31 for immediate and 31 for delayed implant placement in posterior jaw regions. Unstimulated saliva (5 mL) was collected from all the patients before surgery and at 14- and 4-month postoperative intervals to assess salivary alkaline phosphatase activity using spectrophotometry. Intraoral periapical digital radiographs were taken immediately after surgery and 2 and 4 months postoperatively to evaluate alveolar crest bone height. Measurements at the mesial and distal implant sites were analyzed using Scanora software. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in salivary alkaline phosphatase activity or alveolar crest bone resorption based on gender, implant timing, or jaw region (P>0.05). However, patient age significantly correlated with alkaline phosphatase activity and bone resorption (P<0.05). There was no correlation between alkaline phosphatase levels and alveolar crest bone height. CONCLUSION: Salivary alkaline phosphatase cannot be considered a reliable diagnostic biomarker for evaluating the condition of the alveolar crest bone around dental implants.