ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN THE ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM – CATALASE IN THE ORAL FLUID OF CHILDREN WITH FLUOROSIS DURING COMPREHENSIVE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Abstract

Endemic dental fluorosis is a common enamel mineralization disorder that increases tooth brittleness and complicates orthodontic care. Excessive freeradical generation in the oral cavity adversely affects periodontal tissues, whereas the enzyme catalase is pivotal for hydrogen-peroxide detoxification and overall antioxidant balance. Maintaining adequate antioxidant defense during orthodontic therapy is therefore critical for preventing complications in children with fluorosis. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of a specially designed therapeutic–preventive regimen on the dynamics of salivary catalase activity in children with endemic fluorosis throughout comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Materials and methods. Twenty-five children aged 6–7 years were examined. The study group (n = 13) received the therapeutic–preventive complex in addition to routine sanitation and professional oral hygiene, whereas the comparison group (n = 12) underwent standard preventive procedures only. Catalase activity was determined at baseline, immediately before bracket placement, and after 1, 6, and 12 months. A statistically significant difference between alternative quantitative features with a distribution corresponding to the normal law was evaluated using Student’s t-test. The difference was considered statistically significant at p<0.01. Research results. aseline catalase activity in both groups was significantly lower than reference values. After professional hygiene and regimen application, catalase activity increased by 55.5 % in the comparison group and by 66.7 % in the study group. One month later, the comparison group showed an additional 33.3 % rise, whereas the study group demonstrated a two-fold increase. At 6 and 12 months, catalase levels in the regimen group remained significantly elevated, while values in the comparison group returned toward baseline. Conclusions. Incorporating the therapeutic–preventive regimen into orthodontic treatment of children with endemic fluorosis yields a sustained elevation of salivary catalase activity, indicating enhanced local antioxidant defense and a potential reduction in oxidative–inflammatory complications during prolonged bracket therapy.