The relationship between fixed dental prostheses, blood lead levels, and liver function: Mediating effects and gender differences

Abstract

Metal alloys, pure titanium, metal-ceramics, and ceramic materials are used for fixed dental prostheses, which contained lead and potentially involved hepatotoxicity. To investigate the connection between fixed dental prostheses, blood lead levels, and liver function. A cross-sectional study enrolled 3624 American adults were conducted. Multivariate linear regression models and smooth curve fittings were used to describe correlations between the number of fixed dental prostheses, blood lead levels, and four liver function markers. Mediation analysis suggested an intermediary association of blood lead levels between prosthesis count and liver function. Here, number of fixed dental prostheses was significantly positive correlated with blood lead levels (p < 0.0001), but specifically negative correlated with alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma glutamyl transferase levels in males. Moreover, mediation analysis confirmed a mediating role for blood lead levels in the association between the number of prostheses and alanine aminotransferase levels in males only, with a mediation effect rate of 74.27% (p = 0.0020). An increased count of fixed prostheses is associated with changes in liver function markers in a gender-dependent manner, with blood lead levels serving as a potential mediator in males.