5 How changes in localized pressure under an experimental acrylic plate covering the palatal mucosa affect salivary cortisol concentration and α-amylase activity

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between discomfort and stress from an experimental acrylic plate covering the palatal mucosa (exp. plate) using localized pressure plates of varying thickness. The fully dentate subjects were examined under the following five experimental conditions: without an exp. plate (N), with an exp. plate (D), and with a combination of an exp. plate and localized pressure plates of thickness of 0.1mm, 0.2mm and 0.5mm (DP 1, DP 2, and DP 3, respectively). These apparatuses were placed in the oral cavity under pressure for 5min and then left in place at rest for 15min. Cortisol concentration and α-amylase activity were measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and a kinetic measurement kit. We found a significant increase in the salivary cortisol concentration and α-amylase activity caused by the increase in discomfort resulting from localized pressure.