Changes in the nitric oxide system of oral fluid during adaptation to different types of dental prostheses for dental rows defects

The dynamics of nitric oxide metabolism in oral fluid, specifically nitrite ions, the combined level of nitrites and nitrates, peroxynitrite, and the L-arginine/arginase system, were studied in patients during adaptation to various types of dental prostheses. The study included 30 patients aged 45 to 89 years with partial tooth loss treated using bridge prostheses (BP , n = 9) or partial removable lamellar prostheses (n = 11; 6 first-time users, 5 undergoing repeated prosthetics), and with complete tooth loss treated using complete removable lamellar prostheses (n = 10; 6 first-time users, 4 repeated). Oral fluid samples were collected in the morning, fasting, without salivary stimulation prior to orthopedic treatment and on the 7th, 14th, and 30th days after prosthesis placement. No significant changes in the studied parameters were observed in the BP group. In cases of primary prosthetics with removable structures, a 27.34–61.25% increase in nitric oxide metabolites and a 47.62–54.55% increase in arginase activity were observed in oral fluid by day 7. In repeated prosthetics, the levels of nitric oxide metabolites exceeded baseline by 10.93–21.89%. Similar trends persisted on day 14, while by day 30, the nitric oxide system indices reliably decreased. These changes reflect the stages of patient adaptation to dental prostheses. The studied parameters are informative for predicting the course of process, identifying potential complications, and can be used to personalize rehabilitation strategies in patients with partial or complete tooth loss.