TNF and periodontitis: These data are in accordance with previous findings where IL-6 and TNF-α salivary concentrations were significantly elevated in periodontitis patients (Taba Jr et al., 2005; Miller et al., 2006; Scannapieco et al., 2007; Frodge et al., 2008; Giannobile et al., 2009; Ebersole et al., 2013).