THE ROLE OF SALIVARY BIOMARKERS IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ORAL DISEASES: MODERN PERSPECTIVES IN CLINICAL DENTISTRY

Saliva has recently attracted significant attention as a promising diagnostic biological fluid in modern dentistry and medicine. Unlike traditional blood-based diagnostic methods, saliva collection is noninvasive, painless, safe, and easily repeatable. Advances in molecular biology, proteomics, genomics, and biosensor technologies have considerably expanded the diagnostic potential of salivary biomarkers. Today, salivary diagnostics are actively investigated for the early detection of oral cancer, periodontal diseases, dental caries, systemic diseases, and inflammatory conditions. Saliva contains numerous biologically active components, including proteins, enzymes, antibodies, cytokines, nucleic acids, metabolites, and microbiological markers that reflect both local and systemic pathological processes. The development of rapid chairside diagnostic systems and artificial intelligence-based analytical technologies may transform salivary diagnostics into an integral component of personalized dental care. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of salivary biomarkers, their clinical significance, diagnostic applications, limitations, and future perspectives in modern dentistry.