MMP8 and dental caries: Considering the above facts and the lack of clinical data regarding the role of proteolytic enzymes in dentinal caries progression, this study aims at evaluating one of the promising proteolytic enzymes, MMP-8 to better understand the pathogenesis behind dentin degradation and also to assess the relationship of various caries risk factors (salivary secretion rate, pH of saliva, Buffering capacity and Streptococcus mutans count) for better therapeutic intervention and appropriate treatment planning.