The quest for the most precise and non-invasive technology to monitor the pubertal growth spurt is driven by the role of growth determination in orthodontics. The objective of this study was to estimate the levels of salivary insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX1), and to analyze whether the levels of these biomarkers vary among different chronological age groups with and without periodontal disease. Eighty participants were divided into three groups based on their chronological age: group 1: 6–12 years; group 2: 13–19 years; and group 3: 20–30 years. The assessed clinical parameters included the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and community periodontal index (CPI). Using ELISA kits, the IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and CTX1 levels in the saliva samples were estimated. The salivary concentration of IGFBP-3 was significantly associated with age and gender (p < 0.01). However, no significance was observed between subjects with and without periodontal disease. Significant associations existed between the values of IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and CTX1 in saliva among subjects from the various chronological age groups. Estimation of salivary IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 could serve as a useful tool in the assessment of growth maturity and bone remodeling patterns during orthodontic treatment planning.

Introduction: Gingival overgrowth is one of several oral side effects of phenytoin, a potent antiepileptic drug. Several mechanisms have been elucidated to understand the pathogenesis of drug induced gingival overgrowth. The frequency of gingival overgrowth associated with chronic phenytoin therapy remains controversial. and the possible subclinical effects of this drug on the gingival epithelium should be investigated histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Purpose of the study: To investigate the Bcl-2 for apoptosis rate and Ki-67 for the epithelial proliferative activity in epileptic patients. Materials and methods: Twenty four samples of gingival tissue from epileptic patients treated with phenytoin and in eight samples of gingival tissue from healthy patients who didn’t use phenytoin (control) were evaluated for Bcl-2 and Ki-67 immunohistochemically. Results: The results revealed moreproliferative activity of the overlying epithelium and an increased pattern of Bcl-2 and Ki-67 in phenytoin users compared to controls. Conclusion: These results concluded that the increased epithelial thickness observed in phenytoin induced gingival overgrowth is associated with increased apoptotic rate and mitotic activity , especially in the oral epithelium. Keywords: Gingival overgrowth, Bcl-2, Ki-67, Phenytoin.