Study of crevice fluid in relation to periodontal disease in children

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Abstract
Crevicular fluid from four groups of children was examined. The crevice fluid was collected at random from the anterior region of the mouth (6 distal and 6 mesial) in filter paper strips and the volume of the ascending fluid in each strip was measured by techniques previously described by Smith, Golub & Duperon (1974). Gingival condition was assessed on the basis of the Löe and Silness Index (1963). The crevice fluid was pooled on the basis of age, sex and gingival inflammation, and each pool was analyzed for protein, carbohydrate, total calcium, phosphate and nitrogen. Protein and carbohydrate were analyzed by taking an aliquot of the pooled sample directly, whereas total calcium content, phosphate and nitrogen were analyzed in a sample digested with concentrated sulfuric acid and 30 per cent (V/V) hydrogen peroxide. Standard chromogenic reagents were used in analysis. Each component was regarded as a single variable. In this study the corresponding means were compared and graphed. The results were presented as the effects of age, sex and G. I. and various interactions. The data was analyzed to determine i) the absolute quantity of each component and ii) the concentration of each (μg/μl) in the crevice fluid. The concentration of protein in the fluid was higher in females than in males and was also higher in the post‐pubertal group than in the pre‐pubertal group. The concentration of carbohydrate and calcium followed almost the same trend as that of protein. The difference in the concentration of phosphate was not significant. The levels of calcium and phosphate were several times higher than serum levels, indicating that calcium and phosphate were hyperconcentrated within the crevice overnight, as occurred with urea (Golub, Borden & Kleinberg 1971). The high protein content may be related to the high urea content of the crevice fluid from inflamed gingivae. The high urea content will give rise to a high pH‐a pH which can be favourable to the calcification process. Also, the hyperconcentration of calcium and phosphate, particularly in the post‐pubertal group, may favour this process.