Introduction: Periodontitis is a progressive inflammatory disease and the most common chronic human infection. Pregnancy is a factor that is associated with the prevalence of inflammation and is considered as a potential factor of periodontitis. One of the important inflammatory biomarkers is tumor necrosis factor (TNFα). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between TNFα and periodontitis in pregnancy.

Materials and methods: This study included 80 women, including 40 pregnant women and 40 non-pregnant women, and they were divided into two groups with and without periodontitis. Participants' saliva samples were prepared and the difference in TNFα concentration in saliva was checked by ELISA method. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. A p value of less than 0.05 (usually ≤ 0.05) was considered statistically significant.



Results : The highest concentration of salivary TNFα was observed in pregnant women with periodontitis and the lowest was observed in pregnant women without periodontitis. Despite the mean difference between the two groups, there was no statistically significant difference (32.18±7.25, 21.8±4, respectively, P>0.05). The average concentration of salivary TNFα in pregnant and non-pregnant groups with periodontitis and pregnant and non-pregnant groups without periodontitis was not statistically significant (P = 0.707).

Conclusion: The mean salivary TNFα concentration of healthy and periodontal groups was different, but no statistically significant difference was observed between any of the studied groups. However, periodic examinations are recommended and periodontal disease control is emphasized during pregnancy.