Caries Experience and Severityin Relation to Salivary Estradiol Hormone Level among Pre-menopausal and Postmenopausal Iraqi Women in Baghdad City-Iraq

Background Menopause affects the oral tissues in the same way as it alters the other systems. Alterations in the oral cavity are due to aging as well as hypo-estrogenism. Oral mucosa resembles vaginal mucosa in its histology as well as its response to estrogens. Sex hormone receptors have been detected in the oral mucosa and salivary glands Aim of study The present study was design to estimate the caries experience and severity in relation to salivary estradiol level among per and post-menopausal women. Materials and Methods Ninety (90) women aged 48-52 years old, the control group consisted of 45 pre-menopausal women and the study group consisted of 45 post-menopause were examined for caries experience according to WHO, (1997) and caries severity according to Manjie et al. , (1989). Un stimulated saliva was collected from all subjects to analyses Estradiol hormone level. Results the mean value of the DS, MS, DMFS were higher in post-menopause than that of pre-menopause group with lower level of salivary estradiol hormone (E2). The caries severity for D3 and D4 was higher in post-menopausal group than pre-menopausal group and have a negative relation with estradiol (E2) hormone level. Conclusion Caries experience and severity negatively related to salivary estradiol hormone level in post-menopausal women.