Microbial Profile and Dental Caries in Cleft Lip and Palate Babies Between 0 and 3 Years Old

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the microbiological changes in newborn babies with cleft lip palate from birth up to age 3 and to correlate them with their caries levels and mothers' microbiological data and to compare with normal infants. Basic Research Design: Prospective. Settings: Marmara University, Faculty of Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry Clinic, and Sili Hamidiye Etfal Education and Research Hospital New Born Clinic. Patients/Participants: Cleft lip palate (n = 21) and healthy (n = 13) newborns and their mothers. Material and Methods: Intraoral samples were taken from babies in each group at least 3 times over the 3 years. Saliva samples of the mothers were collected just after the birth of the babies and examined microbiologically. Dental caries was noted as either present or absent. Results: The most frequent microorganisms were candida, found at birth (n = 9, 42%) in cleft palate with or without cleft lip (CP +/- L) group. The number of babies infected with Lactobacilli were found to be significantly higher in the CP +/- L group than in the control group at birth (P = .029) and after eruption of the first primary tooth (P = .030). Mutans Streptococci were found in 10% of babies with CP +/- L at birth. Initial caries was identified in 20% of the babies with an oral cleft compared with 0% of the controls after eruption of the first primary incisors. Conclusion: The results show that the CP +/- L babies must be considered as a group with an increased caries risk

Caries Preventive Effects of Theobromine Containing Toothpaste on Early Childhood Caries: Preliminary Results

Objective: Enamel remineralizing effects of theobromine have received much attention from the clinicians. The aim of this study was to investigate the caries preventive effect of theobromine containing toothpaste on children with early childhood caries (ECC). Materials & Methods: Salivary pH, buffering capacity and frequency of Streptococcus mutans (SM) levels were measured. Each child was assigned either fluoridated or theobromine containing toothpaste. The changes were analyzed using Laser Fluorescence system. Statistical analyses were performed. Results: We included 13 children (mean age 4.25) with 145 teeth in the fluoridated toothpaste (Colgate Kids toothpaste) group; 13 children (mean age 4.46) with 115 teeth in theobromine containing toothpaste (Theodent (TM) Kids toothpaste) group. Both toothpastes demonstrated enamel remineralization and were effective in increasing the buffering capacity and pH (p < 0.05). A statistically significant decrease in S. mutans levels was found in both toothpaste groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both toothpaste group showed a statistically significant amount of enamel remineralization. Since theobromine had the added benefits of increasing the salivary pH and decreasing the S.mutans levels, theobromine containing toothpastes can be considered effective agents in remineralizing white spot lesions and can be used in prevention of early enamel lesions

Viability of fibroblasts in a novel probiotic storage media

A number of storage media have been investigated as to their ability to maintain the viability of the periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and thus to permit longer extra-alveolar periods prior to replantation of avulsed teeth. The aim of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the number of viable PDL cells of avulsed teeth treated by Hank's Balanced Salt Solutions (HBSS), saline, a novel probiotic solution and milk. Thirty-six freshly extracted single-rooted human teeth with closed apices were divided into one of the four experimental groups and two control groups (N = 6 each). The positive and negative controls corresponded to 0 min and an 8-h dry time respectively. Following extraction, the coronal 3 mm of PDL tissue was scraped with a #15 scalpel to remove cells that might have been damaged. The experimental teeth were dried for 30 min followed by a 45 min immersion in one of the four experimental media. Each experimental tooth, after drying and soaking, was incubated for 30 min with a 2.5 ml solution of 0.2 mg ml(-1) of collagenase CLS II and a 2.4 mg ml(-1) solution of dispase grade II in phosphate buffer saline (PBS). The cells were then labelled with 0.4% Trypan blue for determination of viability. The teeth stored in positive control demonstrated the highest number of viable PDL cells followed in rank order by HBSS, saline, Lactobacillus reuteri solution and milk. There was no significant difference in the number of viable PDL cells between HBSS, milk, L. reuteri solution and saline. Within the parameters of this study, it appears that probiotic may be able to maintain PDL cell viability as HBSS, milk, or saline

The effect of a novel toothpaste in children with white spot lesions

Objective: To investigate the effect of a novel mineral containing toothpaste in comparison to a fluoride toothpaste in children with white spot lesions

A Quantitative Analysis of a Probiotic Storage Media for Avulsed Teeth

Aim: The aim of the present in vitro study was to investigate the potential of a storage medium, probiotic yogurt (Bifidibacterium animalis DN 173010) in comparison with Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS), saline and milk in maintaining viable periodontal ligament (PDL) cells on simulated avulsed teeth. Materials and methods: Thirty-six freshly extracted single-rooted human teeth with closed apices were divided into six experimental groups (N=6). The teeth were extracted as atraumatically as possible and washed in sterile saline solution to eliminate residual blood. Following extractions, the coronal 3 mm of PDL tissues were scraped with a #15 scalpel to remove cells that may have been damaged. The positive and negative controls corresponded to 0 minutes and an 8-hour dry time, respectively. After extraction, the positive control teeth were immediately treated with dispase and collagenase. The negative control teeth were bench-dried for 8 h, with no follow-up storage solution time, and then placed in the dispase and collagenase. The number of viable protective least significant difference PDL cells were counted under a light microscope with a hemocytometer at 20x magnification and analyzed. Statistical analysis of the data was accomplished using Nonparametric ANOVA complemented by Kruskal-Wallis Test and Dunn's Multiple Comparisons Test. Results: Positive control was found to be significantly better than the others, there were statistically significant differences between positive control and other test groups (p=0.000). The teeth stored in positive control demonstrated the highest number of viable PDL cells followed in order by probiotic yogurt, HBSS, saline and milk. Conclusion: Bifidibacterium animalis DN 173010 seems to be an alternative for the temporary storage of avulsed teeth, due to high number of viable PDL cells. Probiotics may be suitable transport media for avulsed teeth, but further research is warranted using the commercially available products

The effect of a single application of different fluoride varnishes on enamel subsurface lesions in vitro

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of different fluoride ion (F) varnish formulations for controlling the carious development of enamel subsurface lesions and the F release into artificial saliva for 2 hr, 24 hr, 48 hr, and 7 days. Artificial enamel carious lesions were created and divided into 6 groups (5 varnish groups and a control group). Varnishes were applied to enamel specimens and then the specimens were incubated in artificial saliva, with the artificial saliva replenished daily. Varnish was removed and lesions were remineralized in artificial saliva for 24 hr. Surface microhardness was measured three times: (i) initially, (ii) after creating the artificial enamel lesions, and (iii) after applying the varnishes. The F release was analyzed after 2 hr, 24 hr, 48 hr, and 7 days of exposure using an ion-selective electrode. Data were analyzed using a One-way Analysis of Variance with the Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparisons test and the Kruskal-Wallis test with the Dunns Multiple Comparisons test. The highest percentage surface microhardness recovery was found for the treatment with the MI Varnish. According to the percentage surface microhardness recovery results, a statistically significant difference was found between the varnishes and the control group (p < 0.05 and < 0.001). All varnishes released measurable levels of fluoride ions. However, the release of F was the highest in the MI Varnish group (p < 0.01). Duraphat, Enamel Pro Varnish, and MI Varnish released the most F into artificial saliva. Calcium phosphate-based F varnishes improve the capacity of the enamel surface re -hardening. CPP containing F varnish had the highest release of F as compared to the other F releasing varnishes. Further in vivo investigations are also required to prove the clinical applications of the different ingredients containing varnishes