Salivary factors associated with noncarious cervical lesions: A systematic review

• Published in: Archives of oral biology Vol. 162; p. 105945
• Main Authors: Branco, Natália Teixeira Tavares, dos Santos Soares, Anna Rachel, Dutra, Daniel José Braga, Ferreira, Raquel Conceição, Moreira, Allyson Nogueira, Zina, Lívia Guimarães, Magalhães, Cláudia Silami de
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2024
• Subjects: Noncarious cervical lesions; Saliva; Systematic review; Tooth wear; Systematic review; Tooth wear; Noncarious cervical lesions; Saliva
• ISSN: 0003-9969; 1879-1506; 1879-1506
• DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2024.105945

This study aimed to carry out a systematic review of observational studies searching the association between salivary factors (amount and quality of saliva) and noncarious cervical lesions (NCCL) in individuals with permanent dentition.
Cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies performed in humans with permanent dentition (population) and considering noncarious cervical lesions (outcome) in association with salivary characteristics (exposure) were included. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, LILACS/BBO, Scopus, Embase, IBCT, NICE, OpenGrey, and Google Scholar were searched, with no language or date restrictions. Of 6561 potentially eligible studies, 142 were selected for full-text analysis. Three reviewers independently selected the studies, performed data extraction, and quality analysis through the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.
Finally, ten references were included in the review, four case-control and six cross-sectional studies. Several salivary parameters were evaluated. Some parameters were considered associated with the presence of noncarious cervical lesions: salivary buffering capacity, salivary pH, citric acid, and calcium and potassium levels. The methodological quality varied across studies, with high heterogeneity among them.
Some associations between saliva and NCCL suggesting protective factors and others risk factors were found. However, the evidence is sparse and comes from a few studies with great heterogeneity. New scientific evidence, with standardized methods, should be encouraged. Understanding salivary parameters that influence the occurrence of NCCL is important to guide dentists in relation to etiological factors that could potentially be neglected. The results may help in the development of new and early diagnostic methods and treatments for noncarious cervical lesions.
•Some salivary parameters were associated with NCCL, although the results are limited.•Potassium concentration was associated with lower presence of NCCL, suggesting being a protective factor.•Reduced buffering capacity, citric acid, calcium level, low salivary pH may increase the chance to present NCCL.•Studies associating NCCL with salivary factors are still scarce in the literature, requiring more robust studies.