Malondialdehyde levels and total antioxidant capacity in the dental follicles of the asymptomatic impacted third molars

Objectives: Malondialdehyde (MDA), is one of many low molecular weight end products of lipid peroxidation (LPO), increases in oxidative stress. Antioxidants such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) have a protective effect against reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study is to examine the development of the antioxidant defense mechanism in dental follicles (DF) of radiologically asymptomatic impacted third molars (ITM) by using MDA and TAC.

Materials and Methods: This study involved 40 DF of 40 patients referred for clinically and radiographically asymptomatic ITM. 40 healthy gingival tissues in the same patients obtained during surgical removal of teeth as a control group. This study involved DF widths on periapical radiographs narrower than 2.5 mm were included in the study. All of tissues samples were analyzed for MDA and TAC.

Results: Levels of the MDA and TAC in DF were significantly higher than the levels of MDA and TAC provided from healthy gingival tissues of the same patients (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The results of our study showed that an important antioxidant defense mechanism may also occur in DFs of asymptomatic ITM. In the light of these preliminary findings of the presented study, supplementary studies should be undertaken to establish the differences between inflammation affecting the DF and clinical outcomes.