الفهرس 
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Abstract
Aim of the study: to assess the role of carbonic anhydrase and salivary PH and some buffering system components (phosphate buffer concentration) as well as, salivary flow rate in both stimulated and unstimulated saliva as caries biomarkers in children with high and low caries index.
Materials and Methods: The study included 120 children divided equally between two age groups 3-5 and 13-15 years. The two groups were divided according to caries risk into two subgroups; low and high caries risk groups. Two samples were taken from each child; saliva – un-stimulated and stimulated. Salivary carbonic anhydrase activity, as well as flow rate, PH value and phosphate buffer levels were estimated in both groups of saliva samples.
Results: The investigations showed significantly higher carbonic anhydrase activity (p < 0.001) in both saliva samples in low caries risk group compared to high caries risk one. In children with low caries risk, both unstimulated and stimulated saliva show significantly higher phosphate buffer concentrations (p < 0.001), as well as PH values.
Conclusion: The results suggest that salivary carbonic anhydrase activity represents a valid biomarker for the estimation of risk for caries incidence in children.