Salivary α-amylase is a useful biomarker that can be used in assessing human psychobiological and social behavioural processes. Studying it opens up possibilities for the creation of novel concepts concerning the interaction of biological and social processes and their impact on health and behaviour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The levels of salivary α-amylase and situation anxiety self-assessment using Spielberger test were measured twice in 30 individuals aged 21.37 ± 0.96 yrs (18 females and 12 males): once during stressful situation (prior to examination) and, again a month later, in stress-free environment (during a training session). Salivary α-amylase was measured using kinetic reaction kit Salimetrics LLC -USA. RESULTS: The mean level of salivary α-amylase measured during the fi rst measurement 156.0 ± 93.33 U/ml. During the second measurement in the absence of intense stress, the levels were two times lower -74.03 ± 58.06 U/ml and the differences were statistically signifi cant (P < 0.001). We found a statistically signifi cant correlation between the levels of salivary α-amylase in both measurements (P < 0.01). The correlation coeffi cient was r = 0.472 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The adapted version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score (STAI) created by Spielberger is appropriate for assessment of stress-related anxiety in young individuals. Salivary α-amylase may be used as a biomarker for objective evaluation of the psychosomatic state of individuals in a stressful environment. The combination of psychological test and objective indicator such as salivary α-amylase is an excellent tool for objective evaluation of individual's state in stressful environment. Similar tests may be used in assessment of patients' behaviours at dental treatment that may be considered a stressor in most patients.

Permanent and deciduous human teeth treated by a dental Er‐doped yttrium‐aluminium‐garnet pulse laser (λ = 2940 nm) as well as by classical drilling tools under conditions typical of the clinical practice were studied by ultraviolet Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflection microspectroscopy. Enamel was analyzed by both spectroscopic methods, whereas dentine was studied only by FTIR reflection because of the high level of photoluminescence continuum background even when a wavelength of 325 nm was used in inelastic light scattering experiments. The applied energy and pulse frequency of the dental laser varied between 200 and 500 mJ and between 10 and 30 Hz, respectively. The most important result is that after the laser treatment, the hydroxyapatite structure in both permanent and deciduous enamel is preserved: the apatite Ca‐P‐O framework remains intact, and the content of channel OH‐ groups is not changed within experimental uncertainties. The calcium‐phosphate framework of dentine also exhibits negligible laser‐induced changes. The only alterations in enamel induced by laser as well as by mechanical drilling are reduction of the amount of CO32‐ in apatite and changes in the protein conformation. The laser impact on the organic material and carbonate groups is strongest for laser power of 8 W; for powers of 4 or 5 W, the combination of higher pulse energy and lower pulse frequency has less impact than the combination of lower energy and higher frequency. No differences between deciduous and permanent teeth in their resistivity to laser irradiation with λ = 2940 nm were detected. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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SIgA is a factor characterizing the local specific immunity which depends on local antigenic stimuli (plaque biofilm), but it does not affects the gingival pathology directly. SIgA can be considered an important part of an integrated assessment of oral risk environments.