Database: MEDLINE <: biomedical, nursing & dental literature, 1966 - Oct 2000.> Search Strategy (You Saved Citations 1-300 From Set 57): ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 exp Tooth demineralization/ 22628 2 demineralization.mp. 1620 3 caries.mp. 15295 4 caires.mp. 1 5 craies.mp. 0 6 careis.mp. 4 7 carise.mp. 0 8 (teeth adj3 cavit:).mp. 422 9 (tooth adj3 cavit:).mp. 217 10 (dental adj3 cavit:).mp. 276 11 (dentin adj3 cavit:).mp. 254 12 (enamel adj3 cavit:).mp. 182 13 (teeth adj3 decay:).mp. 374 14 (tooth adj3 decay:).mp. 321 15 (dental adj3 decay:).mp. 250 16 (dentin adj3 decay:).mp. 12 17 (enamel adj3 decay:).mp. 20 18 (active adj decay).mp. 9 19 (rampant adj3 decay:).mp. 14 20 (recurrent adj3 decay:).mp. 30 21 (white adj spot:).mp. 509 22 carious.mp. 2077 23 cariology.ti,ab. 56 24 (non-cavitated adj3 lesion:).mp. 15 25 (noncavitated adj3 lesion:).mp. 2 26 Tooth remineralization/ 478 27 (dental adj3 fissure:).mp. 99 28 (tooth adj3 fissure:).mp. 50 29 (teeth adj3 fissure:).mp. 98 30 caries-free.mp. 603 31 cariesfree.mp. 17 32 Cariogenic agents/ 728 33 precavit:.mp. 8 34 (filled adj3 teeth).mp. 510 35 (filled adj3 tooth).mp. 117 36 (oral adj fissure:).mp. 6 37 (tooth adj3 remineraliz:).mp. 28 38 (teeth adj3 remineraliz:).mp. 24 39 dft.mp. 413 40 dfs.mp. 1258 41 dmf:.mp. 6397 42 cariogeni:.mp. 1787 43 or/1-42 32256 44 Dental plaque/ 10264 45 ((tooth or teeth or dent:) adj3 (placque or plaque)).mp. 3494 46 or/43-45 40621 47 exp Lactobacillaceae/ 7143 48 lactobacill:.mp. 8408 49 "L.".mp. 269618 50 acidophilus.mp. 700 51 casei.mp. 1310 52 or/50-51 1928 53 or/47-49 276468 54 52 and 53 1866 55 or/47-48,54 8443 56 46 and 55 866 57 limit 56 to (human and english language) 638 58 from 57 keep 1-300 300 *************************** <1> UI - 20247325 AU - Radford JR AU - Ballantyne HM AU - Nugent Z AU - Beighton D AU - Robertson M AU - Longbottom C AU - Pitts NB IN - Unit of Adult Comprehensive Restorative Care, Dundee Dental Hospital and School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. john.radford@lineone.net TI - Caries-associated micro-organisms in infants from different socio-economic backgrounds in Scotland. SO - Journal of Dentistry 2000 Jul;28(5):307-12 AB - OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were: (1) to compare the frequency of isolation of mutans streptococci, (Streptococcus mutans, Steptococcus sobrinus), lactobacilli and yeasts (caries-associated micro-organisms) in the saliva of 1-year-old infants with and without dental caries; and (2) to determine if socio-economic background influenced the frequency isolation of bacteria and caries status. METHODS: 1393 1-year-old consented infants, who comprised 70. 3% of children born in Dundee during a 1year period, had saliva samples taken (tongue-loop method) for microbiological culture and were examined for dental caries (d(1)-threshold: enamel and dentine diagnostic threshold). Thirty-nine infants were diagnosed with caries and the frequencies of isolation of caries-associated micro-organisms (and absolute microbial counts) were compared with infants who were caries-free. In addition, associations were sought between the infants' socio-economic background, the frequency of isolation of caries-associated micro-organisms and caries status. RESULTS: Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli and yeasts were isolated more frequently from those infants with caries compared to those who were caries-free (S. mutans: 29.7 vs 9.8%, P=0.0008; lactobacilli: 15.4 vs 4.3%, P=0.0073; yeasts: 23.7 vs 10.4%, P=0.0016-Fisher's exact test). There were no significant differences between the isolation frequencies of S. sobrinus (2.7 vs 1.3%, P=0.39) from those with and without caries. Significantly, more infants living in areas of high deprivation had caries compared to those from more affluent areas (DEPCAT 6 and 7 vs 1-5: 3.6 vs 1.9%, P=0.049), but, apart from yeasts, socio-economic background was not significantly associated with the isolation frequencies of any of the caries-associated micro-organisms. CONCLUSIONS: In infants as young as 1year of age, salivary S. mutans, lactobacilli and yeasts but not S. sobrinus were isolated significantly more frequently from those with caries compared to those who were caries-free. Apart from yeasts, socio-economic background did not influence the frequency of isolation of caries-associated micro-organisms. However, infants living in areas of highest deprivation had significantly higher frequencies of caries compared to those from more affluent areas. <2> UI - 20308784 AU - Fontana M AU - Gonzalez-Cabezas C AU - Wilson ME AU - Appert C IN - Indiana University, School of Dentistry, Indianapolis 46202, USA. mfontana@iusd.iupui.edu TI - In vitro evaluation of a "smart" dental material for its efficacy in preventing secondary caries using a microbial artificial mouth model. SO - American Journal of Dentistry 1999 Nov;12 Spec No:S8-9 <3> UI - 20229216 AU - Zaura-Arite E AU - ten Cate JM IN - Department of Cariology Endodontology Pedodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands. e.zaura@acta.nl TI - Effects of fluoride- and chlorhexidine-containing varnishes on plaque composition and on demineralization of dentinal grooves in situ. SO - European Journal of Oral Sciences 2000 Apr;108(2):154-61 AB - The aim of the study was to compare the effects of Cervitec, containing 1% chlorhexidine (CHX) and 1% thymol, Fluor Protector, containing 0.1% fluoride, their 1:1 mixture, and a placebo varnish on the percentage of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in plaque and on the underlying dentin demineralization, as assessed by microradiography. Bovine dentine discs, fitted with three parallel grooves, received one of the varnish treatments into the first groove and on the adjacent part of the dentin surface. Volunteers (n = 23) wore the discs fixed to their partial dentures for four consecutive 3 wk periods. Microbiological analysis of plaque accumulated in the grooves showed no difference between groups. Fluoride varnishes (Fluor Protector and mixed varnish) had a significantly larger inhibitory effect on mineral loss in the treated groove than Cervitec or placebo. All treatment varnishes had more pronounced effect in panelists (n = 14) with higher degree of demineralization (mineral loss in placebo group > or = 1,200 vol% x microm). In these panelists, CHX-containing varnishes showed an inhibitory effect on demineralization in all grooves, also in the two non-varnished grooves. As fluoride varnishes had the largest localized effect on demineralization, and CHX varnishes were showing a peripheral effect, a combined treatment could be the preferred method to obtain an optimal caries preventive effect in caries-prone individuals. <4> UI - 20200896 AU - Llena-Puy MC AU - Montanana-Llorens C AU - Forner-Navarro L IN - Dental Pathology and Therapeutics Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Spain. TI - Cariogenic oral flora and its relation to dental caries. SO - ASDC Journal of Dentistry for Children 2000 Jan-Feb;67(1):42-6, 9 AB - Many attempts have been made to establish the risk profile of dental caries; however, no diagnostic procedures are yet available to reliably predict such risk particularly among the pediatric and adolescent population. Age of subject, a history of caries affecting the primary dentition, the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans, pH values, salivary flow, and the frequency and amount of sugar consumption have been the factors most studied. A cross-sectional study is made of schoolchildren in the 12-13-year age-range to evaluate the relationship between dental caries and CFU/ml of S. mutans and Lactobacillus, salivary buffer capacity, and salivary flow. Likewise, an evaluation is made of the predictive value of the variables, bacterial count and salivary pH with respect to caries. A total of 167 children were subjected to oral examination to establish the DMFT and DMFS indices, followed by the collection of saliva for quantitating S. mutans, Lactobacillus, pH and salivary flow, by the Dentocult (SM)(LB) and Dentobuff systems (Vivadent). The data obtained were subjected to descriptive analysis, comparisons among variables were made by nonparametric testing with a confidence level of 95 percent. Test predictive value was studied in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and probability ratio. Statistically significant (p < 0.001) correlations were observed between the caries indices and bacterial counts. No significant association was recorded with the rest of the variables studied. Bacterial counts as well as salivary buffer capacities exhibited greater negative than positive predictive values, i.e., they were more effective in identifying healthy individuals than patients who required treatment. <5> UI - 20236889 AU - Angulo M AU - Cabanas B AU - Camporeale N AU - Emilson CG IN - Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Odontology, Montevideo, Uruguay. TI - Dental caries and caries-associated microorganisms in Uruguayan preschool children. SO - Acta Odontologica Scandinavica 1999 Dec;57(6):301-5 AB - The prevalence of dental caries was studied in 3-5-year-old Uruguayan children (n = 76) living in 2 areas with different socioeconomic and cultural conditions. More children from the low socioeconomic area of Las Acacias had caries (68%) than children from the middle- to high-class neighborhood of Pocitos (19%). They also had poorer oral hygiene and a significantly higher caries prevalence (P < 0.05) than those from Pocitos. The occurrence of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli was determined in whole unstimulated saliva and compared with that in debris collected with a loop from the dorsum of the tongue. Mutans streptococci were detected in 42% of the children with significant correlations between the salivary levels of the microorganism and caries experience. Lactobacilli were recovered less frequently (18%). The detection of mutans streptococci in the tongue-loop samples was significantly correlated with that in whole saliva. <6> UI - 20131620 AU - Kohler B AU - Rasmusson CG AU - Odman P IN - Undergraduate Clinic, Goteborg, Sweden. kohler@odontologi.gu.se TI - A five-year clinical evaluation of Class II composite resin restorations. SO - Journal of Dentistry 2000 Feb;28(2):111-6 AB - OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical efficacy of posterior composite resin restorations placed in general practice after five years. METHODS: Two commercial composite resin systems were used. Three general practitioners placed the restorations at a Public Dental Health Service Office. The patients were not selected specifically for this study. Class II cavities were restored with Superlux Molar and P-50 APC composite systems on an alternate basis. At baseline, 63 restorations were placed in molars and premolars in 45 patients. For primary caries, generally a conservative cavity design was used (n = 23), while replacements of amalgams resulted in the larger conventional Class II design (n = 40). The restorations were assessed using a modified USPHS criteria. Wear measurements were determined by the Leinfelder method. Photographs and bite-wing radiographs were taken to supplement the clinical evaluation of colour match, marginal adaptation and recurrent caries. Saliva sampling was performed to determine the rate of secretion and the level of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. RESULTS: At the five-year review 51 restorations were available for examination, of which nine restorations were rated clinically unacceptable. Including the failed restorations (n = 7), at the three-year review, a total of 16 restorations had failed (27.6%) over a five-year period. The most common reasons for failure were recurrent caries (n = 7) and marginal defects (n = 4). The mean wear of Superlux Molar was 167 microns and of P-50 APC 158 microns. Eight of the 11 patients with failed restorations due to caries and marginal defects had high counts of mutans streptococci at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The failures in the present group of patients did not specifically relate to material, tooth type or cavity design. However, it is suggested that patient factors such as caries activity should be monitored and managed. <7> UI - 20152124 AU - Guivante-Nabet C AU - Berenholc C AU - Berdal A IN - Department of Public Health, Fac Chir Dent, Paris V, France. TI - Caries activity and associated risk factors in elderly hospitalised population--15-months follow-up in French institutions. SO - Gerodontology 1999 Jul;16(1):47-58 AB - Only a few studies have been published concerning hospitalised elderly disabled people. OBJECTIVES: 1) to investigate the oral health status of elderly French patients hospitalised in the two main geriatric hospitals of Paris. 2) to describe the respective influences of general parameters (type of hospitalisation, pathologies and medication) on oral environment parameters. 3) to analyse the influences of these oral parameters on caries activity in Long-Term Care (LTCF) and in rehabilitation facilities (RF) patients and to study the incidence and the time-course of caries in these specific population. SUBJECTS: 117 subjects (mean age = 83.0 years, SD = 7.8, range = 64 to 102 years) were examined at baseline and 32 of the 50 LTCF subjects were reexamined 15-months later. METHODS: The general parameters recorded were age, gender, type of hospitalisation, period of stay, removable prosthesis, general diseases, number of diagnoses, medications with hyposalivary side-effects. The oral environment parameters recorded were flow rate, buffer capacity, mutans streptococci and lactobacilli counts, measured at baseline by tests on stimulated saliva, and plaque index. Crown and root surfaces were recorded according to a modified caries activity index. RESULTS: Among the polypathological subjects (85.5% of the population), the number of diseases ranged from 2 to 8. The LTCF patients had a significantly higher mean number of diagnoses (3.5; SD = 1.5) than the RF patients (2.8; SD = 1.4). 76.9% of patients were taking medications with hyposalivary side-effects. The stimulated flow rate ranged from 0.02 ml/min to 5 ml/min. Its mean was significantly lower for LTCF patients (0.67 ml/min; SD = 0.51) than for RF patients (1.12 ml/min; SD = 0.89). The plaque index was significantly higher in LTCF subjects and in patients with mental diseases. At baseline, 17,442 crown and root surfaces were examined. Flow rate was related to crown caries and buffer capacity to root caries. During the 15-months follow-up, the mean number of active root surfaces was significantly increased: from 0.148 (SD = 0.116) at baseline vs. 0.250 (SD = 0.174) at the second examination. CONCLUSIONS: The strongest relationship in the present study between oral parameters and caries activity was the negative relationship between buffer capacity and active root caries. This study confirms an association between the type of hospitalisation and both salivary parameters flow rate and plaque index. This investigation illustrates the critical need for hygiene and oral care, in this elderly disabled population. <8> UI - 20132574 AU - Shu M AU - Wong L AU - Miller JH AU - Sissons CH IN - Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand. TI - Development of multi-species consortia biofilms of oral bacteria as an enamel and root caries model system. SO - Archives of Oral Biology 2000 Jan;45(1):27-40 AB - The aim was to establish defined-species consortium plaque biofilms to investigate enamel and root caries in an artificial mouth. Strains of the putative enamel and root caries pathogens, Streptococcus mutans, Strep. sobrinus, Actinomyces naeslundii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, were screened in batch culture for potential cariogenic properties: a low terminal pH, ability to aggregate, and catabolic diversity. The strains selected were grown as monoculture biofilms and as consortium plaque biofilms in a multiplaque artificial mouth. The biofilms were supplied with a constant flow of a simulated oral fluid and were given periodic sucrose (and in some instances glucose) to simulate meals. All the bacteria except L. rhamnosus formed large, monospecies biofilms with resting pH in the range 5.3-5.8. The consortia biofilms were larger and had a resting pH of 4.9-5.3. The consortia biofilms supplied with 8-hourly carbohydrate comprised mainly 'mutans' streptococci (58, SD 5.5%) and L. rhamnosus (42, SD 5.7%). A. naeslundii characteristically was absent or present in a low percentage (up to 4% colony-forming units). All biofilms demineralized polished bovine enamel and dentine blocks, as assessed by microradiography and enamel-surface microhardness measurement. The consortia also demineralized intact enamel and tooth roots; they were more cariogenic to enamel than any of the monoculture biofilms, as measured by enamel-surface softening, but variation in lesion depth was proportional to biofilm wet weight irrespective of acidogen composition (r = 0.93, p < 0.05). Enamel lesions had a well-mineralized intact surface and a zone of subsurface demineralization, typical of early natural lesions. Dentine and root lesions showed extensive demineralization but lacked a pronounced surface mineralized zone. Substitution of glucose for sucrose had no effect on the cariogenicity of the consortium to bovine enamel or human roots and had no major effect on the plaque composition. Continuously supplied fluoride (19 parts/10(6)) resulted in a substantially reduced enamel surface softening and subsurface demineralization of intact roots. It was concluded that consortia biofilms of selected caries pathogens generate realistic caries lesions in all tooth hard tissues under controlled growth conditions in the artificial mouth. This in vitro caries experimental model may prove useful for the study of interrelations between the plaque biofilm, tooth tissues and the oral environment, and for the development of procedures to modify the course of caries development. <9> UI - 20108276 AU - Packer S AU - Woodley N AU - Wilson M AU - Mullany P IN - Department of Microbiology, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, University College London, Great Britain. TI - Prevalence and persistence of amoxycillin-resistant bacteria in the dental plaques of adults. SO - Microbios 1999;100(397):135-44 AB - The prevalence and persistence of amoxycillin-resistant organisms (ARO) in the dental plaque of adults was determined. Plaque samples from ten adults, who had not taken antibiotics during the previous 6 months, were screened for ARO on three occasions at intervals of 3 months. The ARO were tested for their susceptibility to amoxycillin and to amoxycillin plus clavulanic acid as well as their ability to produce beta-lactamases. The ARO were found in all subjects on at least one sampling occasion and in 87% of the 30 samples examined. Of the 36 ARO isolated, 33% were yeasts, 19% were staphylococci, 19% Actinomycetes spp. and 14% lactobacilli, whilst seventeen of the isolates produced a beta-lactamase and seven of these were sensitive to coamoxiclav. The proportion of ARO in an individual fluctuated widely over the study period. It is suggested that the ARO are frequently, though transiently, present in low numbers in the plaque of individuals who have not recently received antibiotics. <10> UI - 20069265 AU - Ekenback SB AU - Linder LE AU - Lonnies H IN - Department of Immunology, Microbiology, Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden. TI - Effect of four dental varnishes on the colonization of cariogenic bacteria on exposed sound root surfaces. SO - Caries Research 2000 Jan-Feb;34(1):70-4 AB - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four different dental varnishes on the colonization of mutans streptococci, total streptococci and lactobacilli on exposed sound root surfaces. Sixty-five individuals were randomly allotted to one of four groups for treatment with Cervitec((R) ) varnish containing 1% chlorhexidine and 1% thymol, a thymol varnish or one of two different fluoride varnishes, Fluor Protector and Duraphat. The varnish was applied to three buccal root surfaces in each patient at baseline and after 1 week. Dental plaque from the root surfaces was collected and analysed on four different occasions: at baseline, after 1 week, 1 month and 6 months. The Cervitec varnish caused a statistically significant reduction in the number of mutans streptococci over time. The reduction was significant at 1 week and 1 month relative to baseline. The numbers of total streptococci and lactobacilli were not significantly affected by treatment with Cervitec. No statistically significant difference over time was found for mutans streptococci, lactobacilli or total streptococci after treatment with the fluoride varnishes or the thymol varnish. <11> UI - 99371359 AU - Anttila SS AU - Knuuttila ML AU - Sakki TK IN - Department of Periodontology and Geriatric Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland. TI - Depressive symptoms favor abundant growth of salivary lactobacilli. SO - Psychosomatic Medicine 1999 Jul-Aug;61(4):508-12 AB - OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to study the growth of lactobacilli in subjects with depressive symptoms in the total 55-year-old population of Oulu (a medium-sized town in Finland); 780 people participated. METHODS: The dental examination included measurements of salivary lactobacillus growth with the Dentocult-LB method; measurements of salivary flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity; and assessment of oral health status. Depressive symptoms were determined with the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS). Participants were also asked about their health, medication, smoking, and dietary habits. RESULTS: The prevalence of high lactobacillus counts (> or =100,000 CFU/ml) was 22% among women and 31% among men (p = .02). Thirty-seven percent of the subjects with a high rate of depressive symptoms (ZSDS score of > or = 40) and 23% of those with an ZSDS score of < or = 39 had high counts of lactobacilli (p = .003). A logistic regression analysis with improvement of goodness of fit was made to confirm the relation between abundant lactobacilli and a high rate of depressive symptoms. After the confounding factors had been added stepwise into the logistic regression model, depressive symptoms were still significantly associated with abundant lactobacillus growth. CONCLUSIONS: The association between high lactobacillus counts and depressive symptoms suggests that depressed subjects are at risk of having caries and possibly other dental diseases that should be recognized in the treatment of these patients. <12> UI - 20030876 AU - Acton RT AU - Dasanayake AP AU - Harrison RA AU - Li Y AU - Roseman JM AU - Go RC AU - Wiener H AU - Caufield PW IN - Department of Microbiology, Schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294-4400, USA. Acton@iprsh.igpmd.uab.edu TI - Associations of MHC genes with levels of caries-inducing organisms and caries severity in African-American women. SO - Human Immunology 1999 Oct;60(10):984-9 AB - The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the relationship between MHC alleles at the HLA-DRB1, DQB1 and TNFa microsatellite loci and levels of oral bacteria that play a role in the etiology of dental caries, and the DMFS index in 186 AA primparous women. The average age of the cohort was 20.8+/-3.7 years. The median DMFS index was 9 (range 0-68). High levels of S. mutans were positively associated with DRB1*3 and DRB1*4 presence (p < or = 0.005). DRB1*8 was positively associated with higher levels of S. mutans as a percentage of total Streptococci (p = 0.04). DRB1*1 was positively associated with high levels L. casei (p = 0.04). DQB1 alleles were not observed associated with oral bacterial levels. TNFa allele 103 was negatively associated (p = 0.04), and TNFa 117 was positively associated (p = 0.007), with high levels of L. acidophilus. No significant associations were observed between any DRB1, DQB1 or TNFa allele and the DMFS index. These results support an hypothesis of an association between host HLA class II and TNFa genetic profile and colonization of S. mutans, L. casei, and L. acidophilus thought to be pathogens involved in the etiology of dental caries. <13> UI - 99451675 AU - Brambilla E AU - Twetman S AU - Felloni A AU - Cagetti MG AU - Canegallo L AU - Garcia-Godoy F AU - Strohmenger L IN - Department of Pedodontics, Clinica Odontostomatologica, University of Milan, Italy. TI - Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in 9- and 13-year-old Italian schoolchildren and the relation to oral health. SO - Clinical Oral Investigations 1999 Mar;3(1):7-10 AB - The prevalence and levels of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) in saliva and its possible correlation with dental caries and periodontal conditions was investigated in 473 Italian schoolchildren, 9 and 13 years of age. A clinical examination and sampling of stimulated whole saliva was carried out in the school and oral health was assessed as DMFT and CPITN using the WHO criteria. The saliva samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen and after thawing, cultivated on selective media. To test the influence of cryopreservation, fresh samples from 20 subjects were cultivated. Thirty-five percent of the children were caries-free with a mean DMFT of 1.9 at the age of 13. The majority exhibited healthy periodontal conditions. Salivary MS and LB were identified in 52% and 21% of the children, respectively. The prevalence of MS was higher among the 13-year-olds than the 9-year-olds while no such difference was found regarding LB. There was a statistically positive relationship (P < 0.01) between the levels of MS and LB and both were significantly correlated to caries (P < 0.01). The correlation coefficient of microbial recovery between frozen and unfrozen samples was 0.99. In conclusion, the data provided cross-sectional information of a clear positive relationship between selected micro-organisms in saliva and caries in 9- and 13-year-old children in spite of a relatively low prevalence of the disease. The findings are discussed in a risk selection perspective. <14> UI - 99391683 AU - Beighton D AU - Brailsford SR AU - Lynch E AU - Chen HY AU - Clark DT IN - Joint Microbiology Research Unit, Guy's King's and St. Thomas' Dental Institute, Whitechapel, England. david.beighton@kcl.ac.uk TI - The influence of specific foods and oral hygiene on the microflora of fissures and smooth surfaces of molar teeth: A 5-day study. SO - Caries Research 1999 Sep-Oct;33(5):349-56 AB - A group of 20 students, harbouring >10(4) mutans streptococci per millilitre of saliva, was enrolled into the study. Models for sampling, reproducibly, the dental plaque present in specific sites (fissure and smooth surface) on the dentition were developed and validated. Withdrawal of normal oral hygiene procedures for only 1 day resulted in approximately 10-fold increases in the number of micro-organisms recovered from both sites. The effect of supplementing the subjects' diets with particular food items given 5 times per day [lemonade (5.8% w/v sugars, 250 ml), biscuits (digestive biscuits, 67.6% w/w carbohydrate of which 22% w/w was sugars and 45.6% w/w was starch), caramel toffees and sugar lumps] on the number of micro-organisms recovered and on the composition of the flora at both sites was determined. Dental plaque samples were taken after 5 days and it was found that supplementation of the diet with toffee and sugar lumps resulted in significantly more micro-organisms at both sampling sites. The supplementation of the diets with lemonade or biscuits did not significantly alter the numbers of micro-organisms recovered from either site. The percentage composition of the plaque samples from both dental sites remained relatively unaffected by oral hygiene although there were lower levels of mutans streptococci which might be related to the use of an antimicrobial toothpaste containing fluoride, triclosan and zinc citrate. This study suggests that the cariogenicity of certain sucrose-containing foods may, in part, be due to the enhancement of plaque accumulation in addition to other effects on the percentage composition of the plaque which may become manifest on prolonged usage of these dietary foodstuffs. These observations are consistent with dietary survey findings which often find consumption of confectionery related to caries experience or incidence. <15> UI - 99391684 AU - Gonzalez-Cabezas C AU - Li Y AU - Gregory RL AU - Stookey GK IN - Oral Health Research Institute, School of Dentistry and School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Ind. 46202, USA. CGONZALE@IUSD.IUPUI.EDU TI - Distribution of three cariogenic bacteria in secondary carious lesions around amalgam restorations. SO - Caries Research 1999 Sep-Oct;33(5):357-65 AB - Secondary dental caries remains an unresolved problem in dentistry and little is known of its microbial etiology. The purpose of this study was to compare the distribution of the three most suspected cariogenic groups of bacteria, mutans streptococci. Actinomyces naeslundii genospecies 2 and lactobacilli, in natural secondary caries around amalgam restorations. Extracted teeth with secondary caries were sectioned to obtain three samples that were randomly distributed to three different groups. Each group was immunolabeled with antibodies to either Streptococcus mutans, A. naeslundii genospecies 2 or Lactobacillus casei and subsequently labeled with secondary fluorescent antibodies. All samples were analyzed three-dimensionally using confocal microscopy. The results indicated that the three different bacteria were widely present and could have an important role in the development of secondary caries around amalgam restorations. <16> UI - 99349166 AU - Saini S AU - Mahajan A AU - Sharma JK AU - Arora AU - Saini OP IN - Department of Microbiology and Dental College and Hospital, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana. TI - Polymicrobial etiology of dental caries. SO - Indian Journal of Pathology & Microbiology 1999 Jan;42(1):25-9 AB - The present study was carried out to establish the normal bacterial oral flora and the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial flora from deep seated dental caries, and to determine the antimicrobial sensitivity of the clinical isolates so obtained Streptococcus mutans (48%) and Streptococcus sanguis (20%) were the main aerobic isolates whereas Lactobacillus spp. (52%), Veillonella spp. (24%) and Actinomyces spp. (12%) were the major anaerobic isolates. Hundred percent of the samples from dental caries yielded polymicrobial isolates while in two samples from healthy individuals S. mutans was the sole isolate. As the flora changed from healthy tooth to dental caries it changed from one predominated by anaerobic gram-positive cocci to anaerobic gram-positive bacilli. All the anaerobes isolated were sensitive to metronidazole and cefotaxime, whereas all the isolated streptococci were sensitive to penicillin, erythromycin and clindamycin. Incorporation of the antibiotics in baseline restoration, if technically feasible, has been advocated. <17> UI - 99351664 AU - Ohrn R AU - Enzell K AU - Angmar-Mansson B IN - Public Dental Service, Stockholm, Sweden. TI - Oral status of 81 subjects with eating disorders. SO - European Journal of Oral Sciences 1999 Jun;107(3):157-63 AB - The aim was to explore possible correlations between the oral status of patients undergoing treatment at a special outpatient psychiatric clinic for eating disorders and such variables as psychiatric diagnosis and duration of illness, oral hygiene habits, salivary function, and dietary habits. Healthy volunteers of a similar age were recruited for comparison. The material comprised 100 consecutive referrals, of whom 79 were women and 2 were men (age range 17 to 47, median 25 yr) participated. The eating disorders were diagnosed according to the American Psychiatric Association's DSM III-R criteria. The clinical and radiographic examinations were supplemented by standardized intraoral photographs, study models and salivary analysis. The decayed, missing, filled surfaces (DMFS) index was 15.3+/-10.9, a significantly higher caries frequency than for the reference group. More than half the subjects had erosive tooth wear involving the dentine, and about one-third had very low unstimulated salivary flow rates and very high counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. Erosive tooth wear was significantly correlated to the number of years of binge-eating. Compared to age-matched individuals, subjects with diagnosed eating disorders are more susceptible to both dental caries and erosion. They should be encouraged to adopt appropriately tailored preventive programmes and to have regular dental check-ups. <18> UI - 99339198 AU - Pan PH AU - Finnegan MB AU - Sturdivant L AU - Barnett ML IN - The Warner-Lambert Company, Morris Plains, NJ 07950, USA. TI - Comparative antimicrobial activity of an essential oil and an amine fluoride/stannous fluoride mouthrinse in vitro. SO - Journal of Clinical Periodontology 1999 Jul;26(7):474-6 AB - Although laboratory studies are not necessarily predictive of clinical activity; they can help to elucidate mechanisms underlying clinical activity when the latter has been established. In a recent clinical study, an essential oil mouthrinse (Listerine Antiseptic) was shown to be significantly more effective than an amine fluoride/stannous fluoride mouthrinse (Meridol) in inhibiting supragingival plaque formation. This paper reports the results of laboratory studies comparing the antimicrobial effectiveness of these 2 mouthrinses using a kill kinetics assay and a plaque biofilm kill assay. In both assays, the essential oil mouthrinse was considerably more effective than the amine fluoride/stannous fluoride mouthrinse. These findings are consistent with the results of the clinical trial and may help to explain the observed differences in clinical activity. <19> UI - 99367883 AU - Almstahl A AU - Wikstrom M IN - Department of Oral Microbiology, Faculty of Odontology, Goteborg, Sweden. TI - Oral microflora in subjects with reduced salivary secretion. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1999 Aug;78(8):1410-6 AB - It is generally assumed that a decreased salivary secretion rate will promote plaque accumulation and increase the risk for caries, gingival inflammation, and mucosal infections. In this study, the effect of hyposalivation on the oral microflora was examined. The following micro-organisms were analyzed in rinsing samples from 14 subjects with hyposalivation: the total number of anaerobically growing micro-organisms, alpha-hemolytic streptococci, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia/Prevotella nigrescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and enterics. The study group, age 53 +/- 7 years, had no history of radiation therapy and showed no signs of inflammation in their salivary glands on biopsy. All were dentate with a mean of 24 +/- 3 teeth. Their salivary secretion rates were 0.03 +/- 0.02 mL/min (unstimulated) and 0.84 +/- 0.65 mL/min (stimulated). The control group was matched to the hyposalivation group according to age, sex, and number of teeth. There was a significantly increased number of lactobacilli, and a tendency, not statistically significant and with large variations within the groups, toward a higher proportion of mutans streptococci and a lower proportion of alpha-hemolytic streptococci in the hyposalivation group. The presence of micro-organisms associated with gingival inflammation and mucosal infections was comparable with that in the healthy controls. The results indicated that a low salivary secretion rate mainly promotes a flora associated with the development of caries. <20> UI - 99225383 AU - Kivela J AU - Parkkila S AU - Parkkila AK AU - Rajaniemi H IN - Department of Anatomy, University of Oulu, Finland. jyrki-kivela@pp.inet.fi TI - A low concentration of carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme VI in whole saliva is associated with caries prevalence. SO - Caries Research 1999 May-Jun;33(3):178-84 AB - Carbonic anhydrases maintain pH homeostasis in various tissues of the human body by catalyzing the reversible reaction CO2 + H2O <=> HCO3- + H+. Carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme VI (CA VI) is secreted into human saliva by the serous acinar cells of the parotid and submandibular glands. Although it represents about 3% of the total protein in stimulated parotid saliva, its exact physiological significance in the saliva has not been established. In the present study, saliva samples were collected under strictly controlled conditions from young, healthy men and assayed for CA VI concentrations using a specific time-resolved immunofluorometric assay. Salivary secretion rate, pH, buffering capacity, alpha-amylase activity levels, lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans counts were also determined, and the results were correlated with the dental status of the subjects. Salivary CA VI concentration, pH and buffering capacity values correlated negatively with the numbers of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT index). The correlations between salivary CA VI concentration and DMFT index were most significant in subjects with poor oral hygiene. No correlation was found between salivary CA VI concentration and lactobacillus or Streptococcus mutans counts. As predicted, salivary lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans counts showed a close positive correlation with the DMFT index. In contrast, no significant correlation was seen between salivary secretion rate or amylase activity and the DMFT index. The present results indicate that low salivary CA VI concentrations are associated with increased caries prevalence, particularly in subjects with neglected oral hygiene. <21> UI - 99225385 AU - Gabris K AU - Nagy G AU - Madlena M AU - Denes Z AU - Marton S AU - Keszthelyi G AU - Banoczy J IN - Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary. gabris@gyfog.sote.hu TI - Associations between microbiological and salivary caries activity tests and caries experience in Hungarian adolescents. SO - Caries Research 1999 May-Jun;33(3):191-5 AB - The aim of the study was to assess caries prevalence in connection with salivary caries-related findings in 349 14- to 16-year-old Hungarian adolescents living in two different cities. DMFT, DMFS means, stimulated salivary flow, buffer capacity, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and candida counts in saliva were determined. The ratio of caries-free adolescents was 4.6% in the total population sample, DMFT mean values were 7.24+/-4.86, DMFS means 10.50+/-8.35. Mean secretion rate of stimulated saliva was 0. 84+/-0.50; a low buffer capacity was found in 6.3% of the examined children. The ratio of carriers of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeasts in saliva was 89.7, 73.9 and 47.7%, respectively. DMFT and DMFS values as well as mutans streptococci and candida counts were lower in the capital than in the other city. Statistically significant correlations were found between DMFT, DMFS mean values, and salivary microbiological counts. <22> UI - 99281756 AU - Quirynen M AU - Gizani S AU - Mongardini C AU - Declerck D AU - Vinckier F AU - Van Steenberghe D IN - Department of Periodontology, Catholic University Leuven, Faculty of Medicine, School of Dentistry, Oral Medicine and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Belgium. Marc.Quirynen@med.kuleuven.ac.be TI - The effect of periodontal therapy on the number of cariogenic bacteria in different intra-oral niches. SO - Journal of Clinical Periodontology 1999 May;26(5):322-7 AB - Several publications have reported an increased susceptibility for root caries after periodontal therapy. It has been suggested that newly exposed roots were less resistant to cariogenic species. This study examined the hypothesis that the increased susceptibility could also be related to an intra-oral microbial shift during the initial phase of the periodontal therapy from a perio-pathogenic to a more cariogenic flora. 10 patients with severe periodontitis were followed for 8 months after thorough scaling and root planing in combination with optimal plaque control. At baseline and after 4 and 8 months, samples were taken from the saliva, the tongue dorsum and the supragingival interdental spaces. These samples were cultured both aerobically and anaerobically in order to determine the total number of colony forming units (CFU) per sample as well as the number of CFU of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species. Oral hygiene parameters were recorded at the same visits. Finally, at baseline and at the 8 months follow-up, changes in caries activity and periodontal health were registered. Although the total number of aerobic and anaerobic CFU in samples from the tongue and the saliva remained nearly constant over the entire observation period (variations within 0.5 log), significant (p< or =0.05) increases in the number of S. mutans could be detected, especially at month 8. The significant decrease in the total number of anaerobic CFU in samples from the teeth was not associated with a reduction in the number of S. mutans, so that also for this niche the relative proportion of the latter increased. The number of lactobacilli species for the different niches showed only negligible changes (within 0.5 log values), except for samples from the teeth for which a small (1 log), but statistically significant (p<0.01), reduction could be detected. The periodontal conditions improved for all patients, but the caries activity could not be arrested. These findings seem to indicate that the increased caries susceptibility after periodontal therapy might partially be explained by a significant increase in the number of S. mutans due to ecological changes within the oral cavity. The clinical consequence of this observation would be to advocate a more strict caries preventive program during initial periodontal therapy. <23> UI - 99283435 AU - Klein U AU - Kanellis MJ AU - Drake D IN - Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA. TI - Effects of four anticaries agents on lesion depth progression in an in vitro caries model. SO - Pediatric Dentistry 1999 May-Jun;21(3):176-80 AB - PURPOSE: This study compares four chemotherapeutic regimens used for inhibiting carious lesion progression: silver nitrate (AgNO3); silver fluoride/stannous fluoride (AgF/SnF2); silver diammine fluoride (SDF); and chlorhexidine (CHX). METHODS: For this study, a bacterial model system containing Mutans streptococci (MS) and Lactobacilli casei (L) was used to generate carious lesions on 85 extracted sound permanent third molars which were randomly assigned to four test groups and one control group. At week two, the four treatment regimens were applied to the lesions (one treatment per test group). RESULTS: Six weeks later, lesions treated with a single AgF/SnF2 or AgNO3 application demonstrated 29% and 19% less lesion progression, respectively, than did the control group (P < 0.05). SDF and CHX did not differ significantly from the control. CONCLUSION: AgF/SnF2 and AgNO3 may be useful in slowing down carious lesion depth progression. <24> UI - 99184728 AU - Featherstone JD IN - Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of California at San Francisco, 94143, USA. jdbf@itsa.ucsf.edu TI - Prevention and reversal of dental caries: role of low level fluoride. [Review] [75 refs] SO - Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology 1999 Feb;27(1):31-40 AB - Dental caries is a bacterially based disease that progresses when acid produced by bacterial action on dietary fermentable carbohydrates diffuses into the tooth and dissolves the mineral, that is, demineralization. Pathological factors including acidogenic bacteria (mutans streptococci and lactobacilli), salivary dysfunction, and dietary carbohydrates are related to caries progression. Protective factors which include salivary calcium, phosphate and proteins, salivary flow, and fluoride in saliva can balance, prevent or reverse dental caries. Fluoride works primarily via topical mechanisms which include (1) inhibition of demineralization at the crystal surfaces inside the tooth, (2) enhancement of remineralization at the crystal surfaces (the resulting remineralized layer is very resistant to acid attack), and (3) inhibition of bacterial enzymes. Fluoride in drinking water and in fluoride-containing products reduces tooth decay via these mechanisms. Low but slightly elevated levels of fluoride in saliva and plaque provided from these sources help prevent and reverse caries by inhibiting demineralization and enhancing remineralization. The level of fluoride incorporated into dental mineral by systemic ingestion is insufficient to play a significant role in caries prevention. The effect of systemically ingested fluoride on caries is minimal. Fluoride "supplements" can be best used as a topical delivery system by sucking or chewing tablets or lozenges prior to ingestion. [References: 75] <25> UI - 99214083 AU - Spatafora GA AU - Sheets M AU - June R AU - Luyimbazi D AU - Howard K AU - Hulbert R AU - Barnard D AU - el Janne M AU - Hudson MC IN - Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont 05753, USA. spatafor@panther.middlebury.edu TI - Regulated expression of the Streptococcus mutans dlt genes correlates with intracellular polysaccharide accumulation. SO - Journal of Bacteriology 1999 Apr;181(8):2363-72 AB - Intracellular polysaccharides (IPS) are glycogen-like storage polymers which contribute significantly to Streptococcus mutans-induced cariogenesis. We previously identified and cloned a locus from the S. mutans chromosome which is required for the accumulation of IPS. Sequencing of this locus revealed at least four contiguous open reading frames, all of which are preceded by a common promoter region and are transcribed in the same direction. Analysis of the amino acid sequence deduced from the first of these open reading frames (ORF1) revealed domains which are highly conserved among D-alanine-activating enzymes (DltA) in Lactobacillus rhamnosus (formerly Lactobacillus casei) and Bacillus subtilis. The deduced amino acid sequences derived from ORF2, -3, and -4 also exhibit extensive similarity to DltB, -C, and -D, respectively, in these microorganisms. However, Southern hybridization experiments indicate that this operon maps to a locus on the S. mutans chromosome which is separate from the glgP, glgA, and glgD genes, whose products are known mediators of bacterial IPS accumulation. We therefore assigned a new dlt designation to the locus which we had formerly called glg. We maintain that the dlt genes are involved in S. mutans IPS accumulation, however, since they complement a mutation in trans which otherwise renders S. mutans IPS deficient. In this study, we found that expression of the S. mutans dlt genes is growth phase dependent and is modulated by carbohydrates internalized via the phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system (PTS). We demonstrated that the S. mutans dlt genes are expressed constitutively when non-PTS sugars are provided as the sole source of carbohydrate. Consistent with a role for the PTS in dlt expression is a similar constitutive expression of the dlt genes in an S. mutans PTS mutant grown in a chemically defined medium supplemented with glucose. In summary, these findings support a novel role for the dlt gene products in S. mutans IPS accumulation and suggest that dlt expression in this oral pathogen is subject to complex mechanisms of control imposed by growth phase, dietary carbohydrate, and other factors present in the plaque environment. <26> UI - 99170860 AU - Steinberg D AU - Hirschfeld Z AU - Tayeb I AU - Ben-Yosef S AU - David A AU - Friedman M IN - Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel. dorons@cc.huji.ac.il TI - The effect of parabens in a mouthwash and incorporated into a sustained release varnish on salivary bacteria. SO - Journal of Dentistry 1999 Feb;27(2):101-6 AB - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of parabens, in a mouthwash and in a slow release device, against cariogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. METHODS: Parabens were formulated in a mouthwash or in a topical slow release varnish preparation. In two separate studies, volunteers were asked to use the mouthwash or the slow release varnish applied in a personal night guard device. The levels of mutans streptococci (MS), Lactobacilli (LB) and total cultivated bacteria were measured before and after using the mouthwash or the slow release varnish. RESULTS: The mouthwash containing parabens had a minor and a short-term effect on MS and LB counts in human saliva. The use of slow release varnish containing parabens, applied in a night guard, had a prolonged antibacterial effect on both MS and LB counts. CONCLUSIONS: Parabens in a mouthwash had little effect on oral bacteria counts; however, paraben in the slow release device had a significant and an extended effect in reducing oral bacteria. Although substantial reductions in oral bacterial counts were recorded after the use of parabens in a slow release device, this effect could probably be enhanced by an improved pharmaceutical formulation. <27> UI - 99114782 AU - Almstahl A AU - Kroneld U AU - Tarkowski A AU - Wikstrom M IN - Department of Oral Microbiology, University of Goteborg, Sweden. Annica.Almstahl@odontologi.gu.se TI - Oral microbial flora in Sjogren's syndrome. SO - Journal of Rheumatology 1999 Jan;26(1):110-4 AB - OBJECTIVE: To study presence of microorganisms associated with caries, gingivitis, oral opportunistic infections, and extent of hyposalivation in dentate patients with primary and secondary Sjogren's syndrome (SS). METHODS: An oral clinical examination was performed. The salivary flow was measured and a rinsing sample analyzed for presence of specific microorganisms. The results were compared to those of healthy controls matched for sex, age, and number of teeth. RESULTS: In patients with undetectable salivary flow at rest, mean number and proportion of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli showed a tendency to be increased, as well as the frequency of Candida. They also displayed an increased proportion of filled surfaces. In contrast, gingivitis and the numbers of microorganisms associated with gingivitis were comparable to those found in the healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Patients with SS and severe hyposalivation harbor oral flora associated with the development of caries and frequent presence of retention sites, indicating a need for efficient preventive dental care. <28> UI - 99120382 AU - Reiker J AU - van der Velden U AU - Barendregt DS AU - Loos BG IN - Department of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands. TI - A cross-sectional study into the prevalence of root caries in periodontal maintenance patients. SO - Journal of Clinical Periodontology 1999 Jan;26(1):26-32 AB - The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate cross-sectionally the prevalence and several risk indicators of root caries in 45 periodontal maintenance patients, who had been actively treated for adult periodontitis 11-22 years ago. These patients were part of a routine 3-6 monthly maintenance schedule. Active and inactive root caries and root fillings were recorded, as well as coronal caries experience. Plaque and bleeding scores, number of exposed root surfaces, rate of saliva secretion, saliva buffering capacity, mutans streptococci counts and Lactobacilli were also scored. From the total of 45 study subjects, 37 patients (82%) showed root lesions (root caries and/or root fillings), while only 8 patients were free of any root lesions. On average, there were 4.3 root lesions per patient (range 0-19) in the present study. 10 patients had active root caries lesions. Of all damaged root surfaces, 9% were active lesions, mostly located on mandibular teeth at lingual and vestibular sites: 40% were inactive lesions often detected at vestibular sites. The remaining damaged root surfaces (51%) were restored; they were equally divided over both jaws. A higher number of root lesions was observed in those patients with >106 mutans streptococci/ml saliva. Although the actual number of lesions per patient was low in relation to the large number of sites with gingival recession, the results from this cross-sectional study in periodontal maintenance patients indicate that: (1) root caries can be regarded as a complication in periodontal maintenance patients; (2) the individual number of root lesions correlate with individual dental plaque scores; (3) a high number of root lesions is associated with high counts of salivary mutans streptococci; (4) no relation between root caries and coronal caries experience, salivary secretion rate or salivary buffering capacity seems present. Therefore, repeated oral hygiene instructions and adjunctive preventive measures including diet counseling and fluoride rinses, as well as fluoride and chlorhexidine varnishes, should be advocated in high-risk patients. <29> UI - 99110707 AU - Weerheijm KL AU - Kreulen CM AU - de Soet JJ AU - Groen HJ AU - van Amerongen WE IN - Departments of Cariology, Endodontology, Pedodontology, ACTA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.K.Weerheijm@acta.nl TI - Bacterial counts in carious dentine under restorations: 2-year in vivo effects. SO - Caries Research 1999;33(2):130-4 AB - Little is known about the long-term effects of fluoride-releasing materials on carious dentine in vivo. The aim was to investigate the 2-year influence of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC) and amalgam on the bacteriological counts of carious dentine that remained under class I restorations. To enable a split-mouth design, 33 molar pairs in 33 patients (mean age 15.1 years, SD 1.4) were selected, based on clinically and radiographically diagnosed occlusal dentine caries. The enamel of the carious molars was removed, and the carious dentine was sampled under aseptic conditions just beneath the dentinoenamel junction. The molars were alternately restored with RM-GIC or amalgam without further removal of carious dentine. The samples were processed for microbiological determination of total viable counts (TVC), mutans streptococci (MS), and lactobacilli (LB). The molar pairs of 25 patients were reevaluated after 2 years using the same clinical techniques and were permanently restored after complete caries removal. Both materials showed a substantial decrease in numbers of TVC and LB of the carious dentine after the 2-year period. Compared to amalgam, the decrease in the numbers of LB was significantly more pronounced for RM-GIC. No microorganisms were detected in only 11 molars (6 RM-GIC and 5 amalgam) after the 2-year period. Based on this study, we suggest that complete removal of carious dentine is still the best conservative treatment, irrespective of the restorative material used. <30> UI - 99121363 AU - Schwarz E AU - Chiu GK AU - Leung WK IN - Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, China. es@iadr.com TI - Oral health status of southern Chinese following head and neck irradiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. SO - Journal of Dentistry 1999 Jan;27(1):21-8 AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the oral health status of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after completion of radiotherapy. METHODS: Thirty-three NPC patients (mean age 53 +/- 10 years) who had completed head and neck radiotherapy (3.6 +/- 3.1 years post-operation) were examined. Dental caries, periodontal status and oral mucosal lesions were recorded. Stimulated whole saliva (SWS) flow rate, pH, buffer capacity and carriage rate of carcinogenic micro-organisms were assessed. Jaw opening was measured. RESULTS: Xerostomia was present in all patients, while 42% had candidiasis and 21% had limited jaw opening. The mean number of teeth present was 22, mean DMFT was 8.0, mean number of untreated root caries lesions was 1.4. Both saliva pH and buffering capacity were low while Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. carriage were high. 52% of the patients had no dental care following radiotherapy. Although few patients expressed direct dissatisfaction, perceived level of information and of post-operative dental care was insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: Post-irradiated NPC patients constitute a high-risk group for dental root caries and oral candidiasis. The carriage rate of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. in this NPC patient group was the highest among findings of other similar studies. This may be related to the inadequacy of dental care after radiotherapy. Head and neck radiotherapy was not associated with periodontal disease. <31> UI - 99459775 AU - Twetman S AU - Fritzon B AU - Jensen B AU - Hallberg U AU - Stahl B IN - Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Medical and Dental Center, Halmstad, Sweden. TI - Pre- and post-treatment levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in pre-school children. SO - International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 1999 Jun;9(2):93-8 AB - OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of operative and restorative treatment of dental caries on the levels of caries associated microorganisms in saliva and to relate alterations to the type and extent of treatment. DESIGN: Longitudinal. SETTING: Paediatric Dentistry Department at a central hospital in Sweden. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and eight pre-school children with severe dental caries scheduled for treatment under general anaesthesia. Chair-side tests were used to estimate the levels of salivary mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and buffer capacity before the surgery and at recall appointments 1 and 6 months after treatment. Caries were assessed according to WHO guidelines and the number of extracted teeth and filled surfaces during surgery were recorded. RESULTS: The results demonstrate that the post-treatment levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) compared to pretreatment levels. Lactobacilli levels were more dramatically reduced than mutans streptococci. The reduction of mutans streptococci was positively correlated to the number of extracted teeth (P < 0.01), but not to the number of restored or ground surfaces. Lactobacilli reduction was not significantly related to the type of treatment. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that extensive operative and restorative dental care effectively reduces the levels of caries associated with microorganisms during a period of at least 6 months. <32> UI - 20018737 AU - Shi S AU - Zhao Y AU - Hayashi Y AU - Yakushiji M AU - Machida Y IN - Department of Pedodontics, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Tiedao University (STU), P. R. China. TI - A study of the relationship between caries activity and the status of dental caries: application of the Dentocult LB method. SO - Chinese Journal of Dental Research 1999 Feb;2(1):34-7 AB - OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship between caries activity and the status of caries of primary teeth and the relationship between the quantity of Lactobacillus in the oral cavity and the status of dental caries. METHODS: The status of caries of primary teeth in 164 children ages 3 to 5 was examined. Caries incidence, mean DFT, and Caries Severity Index (CSI) were calculated. Based on the quantity of Lactobacilli in the saliva of preschool children detected with the Dentocult LB method of caries activity, four grades were classified: Grade 0 = 10(3) CFU/mL, Grade I = 10(4) CFU/mL, Grade II = 10(5) CFU/mL, and Grade III = 10(6) CFU/mL. RESULTS: The results showed that 34.15% of the children had caries status beyond Grade I. There were significant differences of caries status, DFT, and CSI among different grades, all of which increased with grades. There was a high correlation between grades and caries incidence, DFT, and CSI in the 164 preschool children. CONCLUSION: As a Caries Activity Test (CAT), detection of Lactobacilli may reveal the status of dental caries and provide valuable information for the prevention and treatment of dental caries. <33> UI - 20000609 AU - Chandan RC IN - Global Technologies, Inc., New Brighton, MN 55112-5307, USA. TI - Enhancing market value of milk by adding cultures. [Review] [81 refs] SO - Journal of Dairy Science 1999 Oct;82(10):2245-56 AB - Fluid milk and several dairy products are an excellent medium to generate an array of products that fit into the current consumer demand for health-driven foods. Several technologies associated with culture addition, fermentation, or both are available for creating an assortment of flavors and textures in milk products. It appears that accentuating the positive attributes of inherent milk constituents, incorporating health-promoting cultures, and offering a variety of flavors and textures to the consumer could enhance milk consumption. Recent advances in probiotic research show much promise in new product development of functional foods based on milk. Several scientifically sound clinical studies have verified some of the anecdotal reports of the past. Among the reported beneficial effects of consuming certain strains of cultures, or their metabolites, or both are enhanced immune response, balancing of colonic microbiota, vaccine adjuvant effect, reduction of fecal enzymes implicated in cancer initiation, treatment of diarrhea associated with travel, antibiotic therapy, control of rotavirus and Clostridium difficile, control of ulcers related to Helicobacter pylori, reduction of serum cholesterol, antagonism against food-borne pathogens and tooth decay organisms, and amelioration of lactose malabsorption symptoms. The mode of action in most cases seems to involve modulation of ecosystem of the gastrointestinal tract of the host. Several strains belonging to genera Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium, which have desirable clinical benefits, are now available. They are being incorporated in yogurts, dairy snacks, breakfast foods, drinks, refrigerated desserts, cheeses, spreads, frozen desserts, and unfermented sweet cultured milk. [References: 81] <34> UI - 99449279 AU - Narhi TO AU - Kurki N AU - Ainamo A IN - Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland. TI - Saliva, salivary micro-organisms, and oral health in the home-dwelling old elderly--a five-year longitudinal study. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1999 Oct;78(10):1640-6 AB - High scores of chair-side salivary microbial tests have been found to be related to an increased prevalence and incidence of coronal and root caries. Many elderly face an increased risk of the growth of oral microbes, and previous studies have reported high salivary microbial counts in elderly populations. The aim of this follow-up study was to compare, at five-year intervals, stimulated salivary flow rates with the numbers of selected salivary micro-organisms (mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and yeasts) in a group of home-dwelling elderly in Helsinki. A further aim was to study the influence of baseline microbial counts on five-year root caries increments and rates of tooth loss. The baseline study population was comprised of 270 subjects who were all participants in the population-based Helsinki Aging Study. Salivary flow rates and microbial conditions were determined as part of their dental examination at the Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, in 1990-1991. Of these subjects, 110 underwent a follow-up examination in 1995-1996. Commercially available kits (Dentocult SM strip mutans for mutans streptococci, Dentocult LB for lactobacilli, and Oricult N for yeasts) were used for the enumeration of micro-organisms, after the collection of paraffin-wax-stimulated whole saliva. The stimulated whole saliva flow rates of the subjects were significantly lower at the follow-up than at baseline (paired t test, difference -0.16 mL/min; p < 0.05), whereas buffer capacity was higher (paired t test, difference 0.19 on a three-unit scale; p < 0.05). Apart from lower salivary lactobacilli counts at follow-up (paired t test, difference -0.44 CFUs/mL of saliva; p < 0.001), no changes were found in salivary microbial levels. Salivary microbial counts were clearly associated with the subjects' dentition types: More denture-wearers had high microbial counts than persons with natural dentitions. None of the salivary factors correlated with the root caries incidence or the number of teeth lost during the five-year follow-up. <35> UI - 20018865 AU - Toi CS AU - Cleaton-Jones PE AU - Daya NP IN - Dental Research Institute of the Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa. TI - Mutans streptococci and other caries-associated acidogenic bacteria in five-year-old children in South Africa. SO - Oral Microbiology & Immunology 1999 Aug;14(4):238-43 AB - Correlations between mutans streptococci and caries are inconsistent; some studies show that early caries may occur with other bacterial species possessing the ability to survive, interact and compete with mutans streptococci. This study looked at the relationship between mutans streptococci, Lactobacillus, Actinomyces and Veillonella in saliva and plaque collected from four tooth sites in two ethnic groups, with and without caries. All samples were collected and cultured onto selective media. Colonies were enumerated and identified using biochemical tests. Pearson correlations showed low yet statistically significant correlations between plaque mutans streptococci counts and the number of decayed surfaces (ds) and decayed, missing and filled surfaces (dmfs) of primary teeth in blacks and in coloreds (historical race classification). Salivary mutans streptococci counts correlated with ds and dmfs in coloreds. No relationship was found between ds, dmfs and Lactobacillus, Actinomyces or Veillonella numbers. Significant associations were evident between plaque mutans streptococci and Veillonella and Lactobacillus in black children with caries and between plaque mutans streptococci and Actinomyces and Lactobacillus and Veillonella in colored children. Hence, oral microbes are in constant flux but have interrelationships in children with caries. <36> UI - 99407389 AU - de Soet JJ AU - de Graaff J IN - Department of Oral Microbiology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands. TI - Microbiology of carious lesions. [Review] [12 refs] SO - Dental Update 1998 Oct;25(8):319-24 AB - Dental caries is a process in which the enamel, and later the dentine, is demineralized by acids produced by bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates. The main indicator bacteria in this process are mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. This article discusses how monitoring of patients' salivary levels of these organisms can help in prevention and treatment of caries in different patient populations. [References: 12] <37> UI - 99061258 AU - Sewon LA AU - Karjalainen SM AU - Soderling E AU - Lapinleimu H AU - Simell O IN - Department of Periodontology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland. TI - Associations between salivary calcium and oral health. SO - Journal of Clinical Periodontology 1998 Nov;25(11 Pt 1):915-9 AB - Recently, we have shown positive correlations between high salivary calcium content and periodontitis, and between high salivary calcium level and the number of intact teeth in selected groups of subjects. The aim of our present study was to determine whether these correlations could be seen in a randomized group of healthy adults. A thorough oral examination including orthopantomograms was carried out for a total of 137 healthy subjects, 63 men (35.4+/-5.6 years) and 74 women (33.2+/-4.7 years). Paraffin-stimulated saliva was collected from the subjects and salivary flow (ml/min), buffering capacity, calcium (mMol/l) and microbial variables including lactobacilli, yeasts, mutans streptococci, total streptococci, total number of aerobes, and anaerobes were determined. The calcium level of whole saliva had a median of 1.23 mMol/l. Subjects with calcium level below the median were categorized as 'low', while those with higher values formed the 'high' salivary calcium group. There were more men than women in the 'High' salivary calcium group (p=0.025). Subjects in the 'high' calcium group showed more bleeding on probing (p=0.026), had more intact teeth (p=0.045), and lower DMF-scores (p=0.025) than their counterparts. No other differences were found between the two groups. We found clear associations between the level of salivary calcium and factors reflecting gingival health on one hand, and dental health on the other in a randomly selected group of healthy subjects, and conclude that salivary calcium may be important with regard to both dental and gingival health. <38> UI - 99020277 AU - Minah GE AU - Vandre RH AU - Talaksi R IN - Department of Oral and Craniofacial Biological Sciences (OCBS), University of Maryland Dental School, USA. TI - Subtraction radiography of dentinal caries-like lesions induced in vitro by cariogenic bacteria. SO - Pediatric Dentistry 1998 Sep-Oct;20(5):345-9 AB - PURPOSE: The objective of this project was to develop an in vitro model system for investigations of dentinal caries. METHODS: Five extracted primary molar teeth with circular cavity preparations to the depth of the dentinoenamel junction were mounted individually in cold-cure acrylic bases constructed to fit a positioning jig in a Schick-Technologies digital radiographic imaging apparatus. The mounted teeth (MT) were incubated with pure cultures of Streptococcus mutans for 7 days and Lactobacillus casei for 38 days. At baseline and on day 23 and 45, four digital radiographs of each MT were made. Subtraction radiography was performed and analyzed using custom interactive software. RESULTS: Lesions progressed roughly halfway through the dentin in all teeth at 23 days and approximated the pulp chambers at 45 days of incubation. Images resulting from subtraction procedures clearly revealed incremental caries progression which could be quantitated. CONCLUSION: The model may be useful for screening cariostatic dental materials or treatments and investigating microbial mechanisms in dentinal caries. <39> UI - 98436045 AU - Ollila P AU - Niemela M AU - Uhari M AU - Larmas M IN - Department of Preventive Dentistry and Cariology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland. TI - Prolonged pacifier-sucking and use of a nursing bottle at night: possible risk factors for dental caries in children. SO - Acta Odontologica Scandinavica 1998 Aug;56(4):233-7 AB - At the baseline of this cohort study we determined risk factors for colonization of oral lactobacilli and candida in a group of children (n = 166) whose mean age was 2.5 years. The results showed that pacifier-sucking and the use of a nursing bottle at night increase the occurrence of both salivary lactobacilli and candida. In the present study these children were followed for 2 years, and the progression of caries was recorded with particular reference to the etiologic factors measured before. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed prolonged pacifier-sucking (> or = 24 months) to be a significant risk factor for caries development in children, with a rather high relative risk (RR) of 3.5 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-8.2; P= 0.003). Prolonged use of a nursing bottle at night (> or = 24 months) was also a risk factor, but less significant than pacifier-sucking (RR, 2.6; CI, 1.1-6.4; P= 0.03). On the grounds of this study we conclude that prolonged pacifier-sucking (> or = 2 years) and use of a nursing bottle at night are risk factors for dental caries in children. <40> UI - 98449820 AU - Bradshaw DJ AU - Marsh PD IN - Research Division, CAMR, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK david.bradshaw@ camr.org.uk TI - Analysis of pH-driven disruption of oral microbial communities in vitro. SO - Caries Research 1998;32(6):456-62 AB - Previously, a mixed culture chemostat system was used to demonstrate that the pH generated from carbohydrate metabolism, rather than carbohydrate availability per se, was responsible for the shifts observed in the oral microflora which are associated with high carbohydrate diets and the development of dental caries. The aim of this study was to determine more accurately the microbially generated pH at which such shifts occurred. Nine oral bacteria were grown in three independent chemostats, and pulsed with glucose on 10 consecutive days. In one chemostat, pH control was discontinued for 6 h, and the pH fall was restricted to a minimum value of pH 5.5; the pH fall was arrested in the other two chemostats at either pH 5. 0, or at pH 4.5. When the pH was allowed to fall, the numbers and proportions of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus rhamnosus increased; this increase was directly related to the magnitude of the pH fall. Veillonella dispar was the most numerous organism following all glucose pulsing regimes, especially at low pH. The increase in proportions of acidogenic bacteria was accompanied by a fall in the proportions of acid-sensitive species (Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella nigrescens, Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus oralis). The counts of these species were relatively stable between pH 5.5 and 4.5, but were markedly reduced when the pH fell below pH 4.5; Neisseria subflava could not persist in the culture at pH 4.5 or below. The data suggest that the disruption of communities associated with glucose metabolism and low pH can be explained in terms of a two-stage process. A fall in pH to a value between pH 5.5 and 4.5 may allow the enrichment of potentially cariogenic species, whilst permitting species associated with health to remain relatively unaffected. A further reduction in pH ( UI - 98441530 AU - Epstein JB AU - Chin EA AU - Jacobson JJ AU - Rishiraj B AU - Le N IN - Department of Dentistry, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada. TI - The relationships among fluoride, cariogenic oral flora, and salivary flow rate during radiation therapy. SO - Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, & Endodontics 1998 Sep;86(3):286-92 AB - Changes in the quantity of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus species, and yeast Candida species were assessed in a cancer population undergoing head and neck radiation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a custom vinyl tray-applied fluoride gel to control cariogenic bacteria in a group experiencing hyposalivation because of radiation treatment. Twenty-two subjects participated in the study and served as their own controls. Whole resting and whole stimulated saliva were collected at weekly appointments beginning 1 week before and concluding 4 weeks after radiation therapy. Colony-forming units per mL of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species and semiquantitative counts of Candida species (0 = none; 1 = light; 2 = moderate; 3 = heavy) were determined from collected saliva. All patients were provided with custom vinyl vacuform mouthguards to be used daily with neutral fluoride gel (1.1% sodium fluoride). Whole stimulated and resting saliva productions decreased by 36.67% and 47.9%, respectively, by the end of 1 week of radiation therapy, and they remained low. No significant changes in cariogenic oral flora were seen during and early after radiation therapy, despite xerostomia. However, colonization by Candida albicans increased during radiation therapy for oropharyngeal cancers. Findings from this study suggest that changes in cariogenic flora may be suppressed through the use of daily topical neutral sodium fluoride gels and that colonization by Candida albicans increase during radiation therapy. <42> UI - 98413377 AU - Nishimura M AU - Bhuiyan MM AU - Matsumura S AU - Shimono T IN - Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Okayama University Dental School, Japan. TI - Assessment of the caries activity test (Cariostat) based on the infection levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in 2- to 13-year-old children's dental plaque. SO - ASDC Journal of Dentistry for Children 1998 Jul-Aug;65(4):248-51, 229 AB - It is generally agreed that mutans streptococci and lactobacilli are associated etiologically with dental caries. The caries activity test, Cariostat, was designed to measure the pH decrease caused by microorganisms in the plaque sample obtained from the buccal surfaces. Researchers found the test to be a reliable, diagnostic, and predictive device. Incubation was done on MS and MSB plates in an atmosphere of 95 percent N and 5 percent CO at 37 degrees C and for 48 hours. The relationship of the Cariostat scores and the pH values are shown in a table. The test scores are shown for two age-groups: Ages two-to-six years with primary dentitions, and ages five-to-thirteen years with mixed dentitions. The advantages of the Cariostat test are: the sampling method is simple and the time of analysis is short; the test can be used for the very young and for patients difficult to manage; and it requires no specialized knowledge or equipment. <43> UI - 99000627 AU - Straetemans MM AU - van Loveren C AU - de Soet JJ AU - de Graaff J AU - ten Cate JM IN - Department of Cariology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands. TI - Colonization with mutans streptococci and lactobacilli and the caries experience of children after the age of five. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1998 Oct;77(10):1851-5 AB - Some authors suggest that there is a "window of infectivity" for mutans streptococci (MS) at an early age, after which colonization is not likely to occur. Moreover, children with low or non-detectable levels of MS at an early age are at lower risk for caries. It was our aim to study caries experience and colonization with MS and lactobacilli in a group of children at 11 years of age who had been documented to have been MS-free until 5 years of age. For this group, the mfs and MFS values at 11 years of age were found to be 1.12+/-2.81 and 0.44+/-0.88, respectively. These values are much lower than those of a control group of 11-year-old children who had always been MS-positive since the age of 2, being 3.10+/-3.43 and 1.20+/-1.91, respectively. Of the 30 children without detectable MS up to the age of 5, 22 had acquired MS at 11 years of age, but their MS counts were significantly lower than those of the control group. No correlation was observed between the levels of MS of the children and the mothers. In children at 11 years of age, no differences were found in the numbers of lactobacilli and sugar intakes per week between the children MS-free and the children MS-colonized at 5 years of age. The present study indicates that the acquisition of MS is still possible after the so-called "window of infectivity" and that a delayed acquisition of MS may reduce the caries experience in the primary and permanent dentition at a later age. <44> UI - 99024252 AU - van Loveren C AU - Buijs JF AU - Bokhout B AU - Prahl-Andersen B AU - Ten Cate JM IN - Department of Cariology Endodontology Pedodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. TI - Incidence of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in oral cleft children wearing acrylic plates from shortly after birth. SO - Oral Microbiology & Immunology 1998 Oct;13(5):286-91 AB - Children with a palatal cleft can be treated with preoperative infant orthopedics including an acrylic plate that is applied shortly after birth to obturate the cleft. It is advised to wear these plates until the 18th month of age. Such a plate, being a hard non-shedding surface, may be expected to facilitate early colonization of mutans streptococci. The first aim of the present investigation was to assess the incidence of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in children with cleft lip and/or palate during the first 2 years of life. The second aim was to study whether preoperative orthopedics, that is, the wearing of an acrylic plate, had facilitated the establishment of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. The third aim was to determine other factors associated with colonization of these organisms in these children. Sixty-two Caucasian Dutch children with cleft lip and/or palate participated in this study. Twenty-four of these children were treated with preoperative infant orthopedics and had been wearing an acrylic plate from within a few days after birth. At regular control visits plaque and saliva samples and samples from the surface of the acrylic plate were taken, while a dental examination was performed to document the emergence of the primary teeth, caries status, gingival condition and oral hygiene procedures. Saliva samples were also taken from the accompanying parents. At the visit at the age of 18 months, the parents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. At this age, the prevalence of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli was compared to that in a control group of non-cleft children. The oral cleft children wearing an acrylic plate from shortly after birth were colonized earlier with mutans streptococci and lactobacilli than the non-plate oral cleft children. In the children wearing acrylic plates, the prevalence of lactobacilli decreased with age, while the prevalence of mutans streptococci increased. At the age of 18 months the prevalence of mutans streptococci was comparable in both groups of oral cleft children and in the control children. There was no relation between the numbers of mutans streptococci in the saliva of the mothers and their children. The presence of mutans streptococci in the saliva of the oral cleft children was significantly associated with between-meal snacking and with the presence of lactobacilli. <45> UI - 98422716 AU - Moynihan PJ AU - Ferrier S AU - Blomley S AU - Wright WG AU - Russell RR IN - Dental School, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. p.j.moynihan@ncl.ac.uk TI - Acid production from lactulose by dental plaque bacteria. SO - Letters in Applied Microbiology 1998 Sep;27(3):173-7 AB - Representative strains of oral streptococci, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria were incubated overnight with lactulose or other carbohydrates and the final pH recorded. Most bacteria tested were able to metabolize lactulose with the exception of strains of Streptococcus salivarius, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lact. fermentum. Streptococcus mutans produced most acid overnight but the initial rate of acid production from lactulose by uninduced cultures was very low. Plaque pH was monitored in 12 volunteers following rinsing the mouth with lactulose, sucrose or sorbitol or Lactulose BP. These studies in vivo showed both lactulose and Lactulose BP to exhibit low acidogenic potential. Thus, although plaque bacteria are capable of fermenting lactulose, the results suggest that lactulose is likely to pose a small acidogenic challenge to teeth under normal conditions of use. <46> UI - 98332258 AU - Powell LV AU - Leroux BG AU - Persson RE AU - Kiyak HA IN - Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA. lvpowell@u.washington.edu TI - Factors associated with caries incidence in an elderly population. SO - Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology 1998 Jun;26(3):170-6 AB - The purpose of this paper was to identify baseline factors associated with future caries development in older adults (age 60+) during a 3-year study period. Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the association between potential risk factors and disease incidence. The significant factors associated with high coronal caries incidence rates were high baseline root DMFS (P<0.001), high counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli (P=0.036), male gender (P=0.007), and Asian ethnicity (P=0.002). These factors had small to moderate effects on incidence rates, with relative risk values of approximately 1.2 to 2. The significant factors associated with higher disease incidence on root surfaces were baseline coronal DMFS (marginally significant, P=0.078), high bacterial counts (P=0.002), and Asian ethnicity (P=0.009). The predictive value of the models was low for both coronal and root caries. This result may be because this population had a higher than usual caries incidence rate, making discrimination among these caries-active individuals difficult. The current study affirmed the value of baseline DMFS and salivary variables to modeling caries incidence and introduced ethnicity as a variable useful for the study of dental caries in older adults. <47> UI - 98345878 AU - Spets-Happonen S AU - Seppa L AU - Korhonen A AU - Alakuijala P IN - Department of Oral and Dental Diseases, University of Kuopio, Finland. TI - Accumulation of strontium and fluoride in approximal dental plaque and changes in plaque microflora after rinsing with chlorhexidine-fluoride-strontium solution. SO - Oral Diseases 1998 Jun;4(2):114-9 AB - OBJECTIVES: To find out if strontium is incorporated into plaque and enamel in vivo during a 2-week rinsing period with a chlorhexidine-fluoride-strontium solution and to determine the effects of the rinsing on the numbers of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in plaque. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 18 adult participants rinsed their mouths twice a day for 2 weeks, first with a placebo solution and subsequently, separated by a 1-week interval without rinsing, with a chlorhexidine gluconate (0.05%)-sodium fluoride (0.04%)-strontium (100 ppm as SrCl2) rinsing solution (CXFSr) for another 2 weeks. RESULTS: After the CXFSr rinsing period the strontium and fluoride contents (microgram g-1 plaque dry weight; mean +/- sr) of approximal plaque were 32.5 +/- 4.7 and 72.8 +/- 9.0, compared with the respective contents of 8.4 +/- 1.2 and 42.0 +/- 4.8 after placebo rinsing (P = 0.0001 for both comparisons). The strontium content remained elevated for 6 weeks. The median proportion of mutans streptococci of approximal plaque of the total viable count of bacteria was 1% after placebo rinsing but decreased to 0.2% after CXFSr rinsing. The proportion of mutans streptococci remained low at 3 weeks (P = 0.018 vs placebo) but had reached the placebo level at 6 weeks. Rinsing with CXFSr solution did not reduce lactobacilli in plaque. The strontium or fluoride contents of the enamel surfaces subjected to tooth brushing did not significantly change. CONCLUSIONS: Strontium and fluoride accumulated in dental plaque during a 2-week CXFSr rinsing period and the proportion of mutans streptococci in approximal plaque was reduced at least for 3 weeks after completion of the rinsing. <48> UI - 98265004 AU - Lenander-Lumikari M AU - Laurikainen K AU - Kuusisto P AU - Vilja P IN - Department of Cariology, University of Turku, Finland. TI - Stimulated salivary flow rate and composition in asthmatic and non-asthmatic adults. SO - Archives of Oral Biology 1998 Feb;43(2):151-6 AB - The number of decayed, missed and filled permanent teeth (DMFT), the degree of periodontal inflammation (Periodontal Status Index, PSI), stimulated salivary flow rate and the concentrations of total protein, lactoferrin, lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, salivary peroxidase, calcium, potassium, sodium and thiocyanate in whole saliva of 26 adult asthma patients were compared with those of 33 non-asthmatic controls. The saliva was also analysed for mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, total anaerobic flora and Candida spp. The mean PSI (p < 0.05; 95% confidence interval for the difference between means (95% CI) 2.47-25.30) was higher and the mean stimulated salivary flow rate (p < or = 0.05; 95% CI 0.57-0.55) was lower in the asthmatic group than in the control group. No differences were found between the groups in non-immune defense factors, except for myeloperoxidase. The myeloperoxidase concentrations were higher in asthmatics than in non-asthmatics (p < 0.05; 95% CI 4.4-134.0 ng/ml). No differences in microbial counts were found. It was concluded that stimulated salivary flow rates decrease while myeloperoxidase concentrations increase in adult asthmatic patients compared with non-asthmatic adults. The higher concentrations of myeloperoxidase are explained by a higher PSI in asthmatics. <49> UI - 98383519 AU - Fure S AU - Lingstrom P AU - Birkhed D IN - Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Goteborg, Sweden. TI - Effect of three months' frequent use of sugar-free chewing gum with and without urea on calculus formation. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1998 Aug;77(8):1630-7 AB - Studies on the relationship between gum-chewing and calculus formation have produced contradictory results, and it is not clear whether frequent use of chewing gum promotes or inhibits calculus formation. Also, little is known about whether the addition of a small amount of urea to the chewing gum influences calculus formation. The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of sugar-free chewing gum--with and without urea--on calculus formation and some associated clinical variables. Three three-month periods were studied in a double-blind, crossover design, during which the subjects: (1) chewed 5 pieces/day of a sugar-free, urea-containing chewing gum (20 mg urea/piece); (2) chewed 5 pieces/day of a sugar-free, non-urea-containing gum; or (3) performed no gum-chewing. Twenty-nine persons, all calculus-formers, participated. They were scored for calculus at mesio-lingual, lingual, and disto-lingual sites on the 6 anterior mandibular teeth according to the Volpe-Manhold index. Plaque and gingival bleeding index, stimulated salivary secretion rate and buffer capacity, resting plaque pH, mutans streptococci in saliva and plaque, and lactobacilli in saliva were also determined. No differences in calculus formation were found among the 3 periods. The resting plaque pH was higher after the period with urea-containing gum than after the period with non-urea-containing gum and the no-gum period (p < 0.05). A slight increase in stimulated salivary secretion rate was found after the 2 gum periods (p < 0.05). The plaque and gingival bleeding indices decreased, while resting plaque pH and salivary buffer capacity increased throughout the entire study (p < 0.05). No significant differences in prevalence of the acidogenic micro-organisms were found among the test periods. The main conclusion from this study is that three months' frequent use of sugar-free chewing gum--with or without urea--neither promotes nor inhibits calculus formation. <50> UI - 98302557 AU - Collin HL AU - Uusitupa M AU - Niskanen L AU - Koivisto AM AU - Markkanen H AU - Meurman JH IN - Department of Oral and Dental Diseases, University of Kuopio, Finland. TI - Caries in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. SO - Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, & Endodontics 1998 Jun;85(6):680-5 AB - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of dental caries in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and to determine whether these factors are associated with metabolic control and vascular complications of the disease. STUDY DESIGN: Both the occurrence of caries, acidogenic oral bacteria, and yeasts and salivary flow were studied in 25 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus whose diagnosis had been set 13 to 14 years earlier and in whom the metabolic evolution of the disease was well established. The patients' glycemic control was determined by means of analysis of the blood hemoglobin A1C concentration at the time of dental examination. The control group consisted of 40 nondiabetic subjects in the same age group. Decayed, missing, and filled teeth indices and numbers of surfaces with caries, filled surfaces, and root caries were determined by means of clinical dental caries examination. Stimulated salivary flow was measured, and levels of Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli, and yeasts were analyzed. RESULTS: The median hemoglobin A1C concentration of the patients was 8.6%, which indicates poor metabolic control of diabetes. No association was found between the metabolic control of disease and dental caries. The occurrence of dental caries was not increased in the patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in comparison with the control subjects. The counts of acidogenic microbes and yeasts did not differ statistically significantly between the groups. There was no association of caries with the prevalence of coronary artery disease or hypertension in either the patients or the control subjects. In a stepwise logistic regression model, a salivary flow of at least 0.8 ml/min was related to the occurrence of dental caries in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, whereas negligence with respect to dental care was the most important risk predictor in the control group. CONCLUSION: Our results showed no effect of diabetes on the prevalence of caries. However, the caries-protective effect of saliva was partly lost in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. <51> UI - 98341229 AU - Shu M IN - Department of Pathology, Wellington School of Medicine. TI - Study of root caries in an artificial mouth. SO - New Zealand Dental Journal 1998 Jun;94(416):62-4 AB - The object of this project was to develop a laboratory model system to study root and enamel caries. Model plaque biofilms containing consortia of four (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) or six (S mutans, S sobrinus, S mitis, A naeslundii, L rhamnosus, and Veillonella dispar) species of caries pathogens were developed in a artificial mouth. Caries lesions similar to those found in vivo were produced on enamel and dentine blocks and in intact root tissues by these consortia more effectively than biofilms of the individual species. Fluoride supplied at 5 ppm suppressed enamel caries effectively, less so dentinal lesion formation, but much more so than F incorporated into the mineralised surface of enamel and roots. This is the first direct comparison of the effect on caries of environmental F and tooth mineral F induced by a plaque-like bacterial biofilm. <52> UI - 98237091 AU - Fure S IN - Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, Goteborg University, Sweden. fure@odontologi.gu.se TI - Five-year incidence of caries, salivary and microbial conditions in 60-, 70- and 80-year-old Swedish individuals. SO - Caries Research 1998;32(3):166-74 AB - The 5-year incidence of dental caries in a random sample of 60-, 70- and 80-year-old inhabitants of Goteborg was related to salivary and microbial conditions. Of the 208 persons examined at baseline, 148 (71%) participated in the follow-up examination; 69, 51 and 28, respectively, in the different age groups. The study revealed that 27% of the participants had not developed any carious lesions during the 5-year period and that the incidence of coronal and root caries increased with age. In the 60-year-olds, 2.5% of the susceptible coronal and root surfaces, respectively, had decayed, while the corresponding figures for the 80-year-olds were 8.8% for coronal surfaces and 9.8% for root surfaces. In all, 18% had an unstimulated saliva secretion rate of below 0.1 ml/min and 14% had a stimulated secretion rate of <0.7 ml/min, with a mean rate which decreased with increasing age from 2.0 to 1.6 and 1.3 ml/min (p = 0.02). The overall salivary counts of lactobacilli and mutans streptococci, particularly the subspecies of Streptococcus sobrinus, had increased during the period. In the respective age groups of 60, 70 and 80 years, 15, 39 and 39% had a mutans streptococci count of > or = 10(6) CFU/ml in saliva and the corresponding figures for > or = 10(5) lactobacilli counts were 22, 31 and 43%. In the stepwise regression analysis, it was found that age, salivary levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli and number of teeth were the best predictors of the incidence of root caries. In conclusion, these observations indicate that there is an increased risk of dental caries with age owing to unfavourable microbial and salivary conditions. <53> UI - 98275932 AU - Walker BN AU - Makinson OF AU - Peters MC IN - Department of Dentistry, University of Adelaide, South Australia. TI - Enamel cracks. The role of enamel lamellae in caries initiation. SO - Australian Dental Journal 1998 Apr;43(2):110-6 AB - Lamellae or cracks are distributed throughout tooth enamel in both deciduous and permanent dentitions. While earlier authors postulated that lamellae may be pathways of entry for caries, no evidence was adduced and the theory appears to have been discounted. The present study seeks to show that, at least in some cases, lamellae are permeable to dyes, may be associated with caries initiated in the dentine, supporting the hypothesis of Hardwick and Manly of lamellae penetration by Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli. The enamel lamellae are shown to be a permeable pathway allowing caries-producing bacteria access to the dentine-enamel junction. Caries can thus be established within the tooth without visible evidence at the surface. <54> UI - 98305311 AU - Matsushima K AU - Ohbayashi E AU - Takeuchi H AU - Hosoya S AU - Abiko Y AU - Yamazaki M IN - Department of Endodontics, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Chiba, Japan. TI - Stimulation of interleukin-6 production in human dental pulp cells by peptidoglycans from Lactobacillus casei. SO - Journal of Endodontics 1998 Apr;24(4):252-5 AB - Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is a multifunctional cytokine, has an important role in acute and chronic inflammation. The peptidoglycan (PG) was purified from Lactobacillus casei, which was a Gram-positive bacteria frequently isolated from deep carious lesions and suspected to be a pathogen of pulpitis. In this study, the effects of PG on the production of IL-6 in human dental pulp cells were examined. PG stimulated IL-6 production in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction experiments showed that the increase was dependent on the enhancement of IL-6 mRNA levels. These findings suggest that Gram-positive bacteria, such as L. casei, from carious lesions, might be involved in developing pulpitis through the stimulation of IL-6 production. <55> UI - 98234899 AU - Leung WK AU - Jin LJ AU - Samaranayake LP AU - Chiu GK IN - Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong. TI - Subgingival microbiota of shallow periodontal pockets in individuals after head and neck irradiation. SO - Oral Microbiology & Immunology 1998 Feb;13(1):1-10 AB - This study aimed at investigating the subgingival plaque microorganisms of shallow pockets (< or = 5 mm) in subjects who previously received irradiation in the head and neck region for treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Direct microscopy and anaerobic culture were used. Subgingival paper point samples were taken from 6 tooth-sites (one/sextant) per subject for direct microscopy (n = 108). Another set of paper points was taken from the deepest of the previously selected sites (one per subject) with: group A) no bleeding on probing to the sulcus depth (n = 9) and group B) bleeding on probing to the sulcus depth (n = 6) for microscopic and anaerobic culture study. Under the microscope, the microflora was found to be a complex mixture comprising gram-positive and gram-negative cocci, rods and filaments, fusiforms, curved rods and spirochetes. Low level of fungi were observed and mycelia were occasionally detected. There was no significant variation in the plaque bacterial morphotypes observable according to sites of isolation and no significant difference between group A and group B in morphotypes of the different microflora. The predominant cultivable microflora comprised several species of facultative and obligate anaerobic bacteria: Gemella, Peptostreptococcus, Staphylococcus, Stomatococcus, Streptococcus, Actinomyces, Eubacterium, Lactobacillus, Propionibacterium, Neisseria, Veillonella, Bacteroides, Campylobacter, Capnocytophaga, Fusobacterium, Kingella, Porphyromonas and Prevotella species. There was no difference between the two groups except the significantly higher proportion of Kingella dentrificans isolated from group B sites. However, colonization of the gingival sulcus in these individuals by microbes that are normal flora of: skin (Peptostreptococcus prevotii and Propionibacterium granulosum) and gut (Eubacterium aerofaciens, Fusobacterium mortiferum and Fusobacterium varium) was detected. These findings appear to suggest that the major components of the subgingival microflora of shallow sites in previously head- and neck-irradiated individuals are similar to that of gingivitis sites in the normal population although they may contain bacterial or fungal species uncommon in normal subjects. <56> UI - 98250882 AU - Botha SJ AU - Boy SC AU - Botha FS AU - Senekal R IN - Centre for Stomatological Research, University of Pretoria, South Africa. TI - Lactobacillus species associated with active caries lesions. SO - Journal of the Dental Association of South Africa 1998 Jan;53(1):3-6 AB - Lactobacilli that are most frequently associated with active caries lesions in dentine were isolated and identified as part of a research project which aims to determine the role of the predominant species of these organisms in the carious process. Samples of carious dentine were collected from 12 patients with open caries lesions (Group A) and stimulated saliva samples were collected from 12 patients with a DMFT = 0 and confirmed presence of lactobacilli in the oral cavity (Group B). After serial dilutions samples were plated on Rogosa agar and incubated anaerobically at 37 degrees C for 48 hours. Representative colonies were isolated from each sample, using Harrison's disc and species were identified by classical taxonomy. A total of 153 isolates were identified. The redefinition and description of lactobacilli species in recent systematic literature resulted in a new and different species composition of oral lactobacilli as shown in this study, namely: homofermentative species (Group A = 82 per cent; Group B = 90 per cent) were predominantly Lactobacillus paracasei (Group A = 39 per cent; Group B = 30 percent) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Group A = 31 per cent; Group B = 41 per cent). Heterofermentative species (Group A = 18 per cent; Group B = 10 per cent) were predominantly Lactobacillus fermentum (Group A = 68 per cent; Group B = 100 percent). <57> UI - 98204416 AU - Lundgren M AU - Emilson CG AU - Osterberg T IN - Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, Goteborg University, Sweden. TI - Root caries and some related factors in 88-year-old carriers and non-carriers of Streptococcus sobrinus in saliva. SO - Caries Research 1998;32(2):93-9 AB - The prevalence of caries on exposed root surfaces in 88-year-old subjects with and without salivary levels of Streptococcus sobrinus was studied. Ninety-two individuals were examined with regard to root caries lesions and fillings. The root caries index (RCI) was calculated and related to salivary flow rate and buffer capacity, plaque score and salivary counts of Streptococcus mutans, S. sobrinus and lactobacilli. In 89 subjects with exposed root surfaces, all but 2 harbored mutans streptococci; 51 subjects carried S. mutans only, 35 both S. sobrinus and S. mutans, and 1 S. sobrinus only. The RCI was significantly higher in persons with than those without S. sobrinus (p < 0.05). Subjects with both S. sobrinus and S. mutans had higher counts of total mutans streptococci and lactobacilli than subjects with only S. mutans (p < 0.05). The RCI was significantly correlated to S. sobrinus and S. mutans (p < 0.05). The positive correlation between the RCI and S. sobrinus was still significant when the other tested variables were kept constant, whereas the correlation between the RCI and S. mutans was weaker when S. sobrinus and lactobacilli were kept constant. The D-component of the RCI (DSr%) was significantly correlated to S. sobrinus, S. mutans and lactobacilli, whereas the F-component of the RCI showed no significant correlation to any of the tested variables. A stepwise multiple correlation showed that the variance of DSr% was best explained in the S. sobrinus carriers by S. sobrinus and the salivary buffer effect, and in the non-carriers by S. mutans. <58> UI - 98204417 AU - Brailsford SR AU - Lynch E AU - Beighton D IN - Joint Microbiology Research Unit, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, Dental School, London, UK. S.Brailsford@kcl.ac.uk TI - The isolation of Actinomyces naeslundii from sound root surfaces and root carious lesions. SO - Caries Research 1998;32(2):100-6 AB - The isolation of Actinomyces naeslundii from sound, exposed root surfaces (n = 56) and soft and leathery root carious lesions (n = 71) was investigated. Root carious lesions were sampled after the removal of overlying plaque. Supragingival plaque or carious dentine was sampled using a sterile excavator, the samples were disaggregated and cultured on both selective and non-selective media. A. naeslundii isolates were identified to the genospecies using specific antisera. Significantly greater numbers and proportions of A. naeslundii genospecies 2 than A. naeslundii genospecies 1 were isolated from all sites sampled. There was no significant difference between the numbers and proportions of the two genospecies isolated from leathery and soft lesions. The relationship between the presence of A. naeslundii genospecies and aciduric and acidogenic organisms was investigated. Those sound exposed root surfaces from which A. naeslundii genospecies 1 and/or 2 were isolated yielded significantly lower numbers of lactobacilli and yeasts than the surfaces from which A. naeslundii were not isolated. This difference was also found in leathery lesions but not soft root carious lesions. The microflora of soft root carious lesions was found to comprise primarily gram-positive pleomorphic rods which formed 70+/-7.8% of the flora, while in plaque from exposed root surfaces and in infected dentine from leathery lesions the gram-positive pleomorphic rods represented only 35% of the flora. <59> UI - 98099409 AU - Babaahmady KG AU - Challacombe SJ AU - Marsh PD AU - Newman HN IN - Department of Periodontology, Eastman Dental Institute and Hospital, University College London, UK. TI - Ecological study of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus spp. at sub-sites from approximal dental plaque from children. SO - Caries Research 1998;32(1):51-8 AB - Previous immunofluorescence (IF) studies have indicated that Streptococcus mutans may preferentially colonise specific sub-sites within approximal plaque. The present study aimed to extend these observations to other mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in such gingival margin plaque. Two hundred and seventy approximal plaque samples were taken from 90 teeth (3 from each tooth) in 64 children; three gingival margin sub-sites in relation to the contact area: away from (A), to the side of(S) and below (B) the contact area. Samples were processed by indirect IF using high-titred polyclonal anti-S. mutans 'c', anti-S. sobrinus 'd', anti-L. casei and anti-L. acidophilus antisera. An overall positive association was found between S. mutans 'c' and S. sobrinus 'd' (p < 0.001). Significant differences (p < 0.1) were found between the proportional counts at each sub-site for S. mutans 'c': A = 39%, S = 51% and B = 70%, and for S. sobrinus 'd' 21, 33 and 49%. Mutans streptococci (MS) appeared to preferentially colonise the sub-site below the contact area (B = 81%), compared with sub-sites A and S (48 and 62%, respectively). S. mutans 'c' and S. sobrinus 'd' were detected together at subsites A = 12%, S = 22%, and B = 38%, with proportional counts at B sites being higher than those at A (B > A, p < 0.01, and B > S, p < 0.05). Lactobacillus spp. were isolated rarely, and were usually found together with MS. There was a positive relationship between the presence of lactobacilli or MS and caries (white spot lesions only), although these species could frequently be isolated from noncarious sites. The presence of both S. mutans 'c' and S. sobrinus 'd' were strongly correlated with early caries lesions. In addition, this study confirmed the variation in the microflora at different sub-sites within approximal dental plaque. <60> UI - 98099402 AU - Narhi TO AU - Vehkalahti MM AU - Siukosaari P AU - Ainamo A IN - Department of Oral Function and Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands. TI - Salivary findings, daily medication and root caries in the old elderly. SO - Caries Research 1998;32(1):5-9 AB - Root caries is one of the main dental problems among the dentate old elderly. The aim of our study was to evaluate the occurrence of root caries in 196 dentate elderly (mean age 79.3) in relation to their salivary flow rate, buffering capacity and salivary microbial counts. These subjects participated in the oral health component of the Helsinki Aging Study in 1990-1991. Clinical oral examinations included assessment of the state of root surfaces and salivary flow rates, both paraffin-wax-stimulated and unstimulated. Salivary buffering capacity and the growth of salivary mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeasts were determined by means of commercially available kits. Root caries occurred in 52% of men and in 35% of women (p < 0.05). Number of decayed (DRS) and decayed or filled (DFRS) root surfaces correlated (r = 0.16 to 0.26) with salivary microbial counts. No correlation appeared between DRS and subjects' salivary flow rates. Basic estimates on the association between DRS and salivary findings showed that microbial counts only produced significant odds ratios, from 2.0 to 3.5. However, in a log-linear model high salivary mutans streptococci and yeast counts together with male gender were associated with greater occurrence of root caries. <61> UI - 98100055 AU - Kirstila V AU - Hakkinen P AU - Jentsch H AU - Vilja P AU - Tenovuo J IN - Turku Immunology Centre, University of Turku, Finland. TI - Longitudinal analysis of the association of human salivary antimicrobial agents with caries increment and cariogenic micro-organisms: a two-year cohort study. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1998 Jan;77(1):73-80 AB - Previous studies of the possible associations of salivary antimicrobial agents with dental caries have given controversial results, obviously mainly because almost all studies have been cross-sectional. Our aim was to find out, in a two-year longitudinal follow-up study, the associations among selected salivary non-immune and immune antimicrobial variables, cariogenic bacteria, and caries increment. The study population was comprised of 63 subjects, all of whom had their 13th birthday during the first study year. In addition to a comprehensive dental examination at baseline and after 2 yrs, paraffin-stimulated whole saliva samples were collected in a standardized way at six-month intervals. Saliva samples were analyzed for flow rate, buffer effect, lysozyme, lactoferrin, total peroxidase activity, hypothiocyanite, thiocyanate, agglutination rate, and total and specific anti-S. mutans IgA and IgG, as well as for numbers of total and mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and total anaerobic bacteria. Cluster analysis and Spearman-Rank correlation coefficients were used to explore possible associations between and among the studied variables. During the two-year period, a statistically significant increase was observed in flow rate, thiocyanate, agglutination rate, anti-S. mutans IgA antibodies, lactobacilli, and total anaerobes, whereas lysozyme, lactoferrin, and total and anti-S. mutans IgG antibodies declined significantly. Based on various analyses, it can be concluded that, at baseline, total IgG and hypothiocyanite had an inverse relationship with subsequent two-year caries increment, anti-S. mutans IgG antibodies increased with caries development, and mutans streptococci and lactobacilli correlated positively with both baseline caries and caries increment. Total anaerobic microflora was consistently more abundant among caries-free individuals. In spite of the above associations, we conclude that none of the single antimicrobial agents as such has sufficiently strong power to have diagnostic significance in vivo with respect to future caries. <62> UI - 98100053 AU - Hansel C AU - Leyhausen G AU - Mai UE AU - Geurtsen W IN - Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Medical University Hannover, Germany. TI - Effects of various resin composite (co)monomers and extracts on two caries-associated micro-organisms in vitro. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1998 Jan;77(1):60-7 AB - Previous studies have shown that extracts of various filling materials, e.g., resin composites, may influence the growth of cariogenic micro-organisms. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of important resin composite (co)monomers (Bis-GMA, UDMA, TEGDMA, EGDMA) and extracts of two commercial dental composites with similar composition (composite A, Arabesk; composite S, Superlux) on the growth of the two cariogenic bacterial pathogens Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus acidophilus. It was found that neither the monomers Bis-GMA and UDMA, nor the comonomer EGDMA, nor the extract of composite A influenced the growth of S. sobrinus in the log phase. The comonomer TEGDMA and the extract of composite S were found to stimulate growth in the log phase, but this stimulation was not statistically significant. However, EGDMA, TEGDMA, and the extract of composite S did stimulate the total growth of S. sobrinus. In the assays with L. acidophilus, Bis-GMA, UDMA, and the extract of composite A inhibited the growth in the log phase, whereas TEGDMA stimulated it. Furthermore, EGDMA, TEGDMA, and the extract of composite S stimulated the biomass production of L. acidophilus. We conclude from our results that a release of EGDMA and TEGDMA from resin composites should be avoided due to their growth-stimulating effects on the caries-associated micro-organisms S. sobrinus and L. acidophilus. <63> UI - 99459753 AU - Hofling JF AU - Spolidori DM AU - Rosa EA AU - Pereira CV AU - Moreira D IN - Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. hofling@fop.unicamp.br TI - Salivary counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in children ageing 6-8 year old having a socioeconomic background in Brazil. SO - Indian Journal of Dental Research 1998 Jul-Sep;9(3):91-7 AB - Saliva samples from students aged 6 to 8 year-old were analysed in order to determine the incidence of Streptococcus group mutans and Lactobacillus. Two hundred children were examined, distributed in five socioeconomic categories (A to E). Stimulated saliva samples were collected and inoculated into the SB20 and Rogsa agar culture medium for the Streptococcus and Lactobacillus cultivation. After growth, the number of these microorganisms (CUF/mL) was determined after identification of the representative colonies by biochemical methods on the basis of carbohydrate fermentation. A significative part of the population, particularly among the lower socioeconomic categories (D/E) was considered a high risk group in developing dental caries because of the high number of Streptococcus group mutans and Lactobacillus. <64> UI - 99264755 AU - Ulukapi H AU - Koray F AU - Efes B IN - Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Istanbul, Turkey. TI - Monitoring the caries risk of orthodontic patients. SO - Quintessence International 1997 Jan;28(1):27-9 AB - Several caries activity tests were used to investigate the caries risk of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Twenty young individuals, with a mean age of 11 years, participated in this study. Ten subjects were free of any orthodontic appliances and formed the control group. The other 10 individuals had been wearing fixed orthodontic appliances for at least 4 months. Stimulated saliva samples were ob