Objectives: The aims of present study were to evaluate nickel and chromium ions concentrations in salivary and serum samples from patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances and their possible influences on hepatic enzymes. Materials and methods: Saliva and blood samples were collected from 36 patients ranging in age from 12 to 24 years. Three samples of saliva and two samples of blood were obtained. First saliva and blood samples were collected before inserting fixed appliances. Second salivary samples were collected at 1 week, third salivary sample and second blood sample after 4 weeks of appliance insertion. Serum was prepared by centrifuging blood samples at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. Spectrophotometric determinations were carried out using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results and conclusion: In serum, significant increase in Ni and Cr ion concentration occurred in samples collected after 4 weeks. In saliva samples, nickel and chromium reached their highest lavels in first week. Mean liver function enzymes SGOT and SGPT were also significantly increased in 4 weeks. Fixed orthodontic appliances release measurable amount of nickel and chromium when placed in mouth, but this increase does not reach toxic levels for nickel and chromium in saliva and serum to cause harmful effects in human beings.
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