OBJECTIVETo study the interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of porcelain teeth coated with Ni-Cr, Co-Cr or gold alloy at different time periods, and to uncover the degree of stimulation by these alloys on gingiva at different time periods.

METHODS45 cases of porcelain teeth coated with Ni-Cr, Co-Cr or gold alloy were selected randomly, with 15 cases in each group. Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the concentration and total amount of IL-8 in GCF. The assay was done before treatment, as well as at 1, 3 and 6 months post-treatment.

RESULTSThe total amounts of IL-8 and GCF volume in the Ni-Cr alloy coated porcelain teeth were higher in different time period than those before treatment (P<0.05). However, the IL-8 levels in Co-Cr and gold alloy coated porcelain teeth returned to pre-dental restoration after 3 months. Otherwise, the levels of IL-8 concentration in GCF showed no significant difference among the three different alloys coating at different time periods.

CONCLUSIONIL-8 is an important cytokine during tissue inflammation. Therefore, the level of IL-8 in GCF is a useful criteria for the evaluation of stimulation degree on gingiva by different alloy coating materials in porcelain teeth. The clinical choice of different alloy coating for porcelain teeth should be considered accordingly.