ABSTRACT
Background: Streptococcus mutans is a Gram-positive bacteria which plays a major role in tooth decay. S. mutans is among the bacterial agents that initiate biofilm formation on the tooth surface and other bacteria will added then to the attached bacteria to make dental plaque. Some of these secondary bacteria are important agents in halitosis Objectives: To compare the presence of Streptococcus mutans in saliva of patients with halitosis and control group, using culture method. Materials and Methods: Saliva specimens of 100 patients referring to diagnosis ward of Shiraz medical school were collected. 51 patients (34 female and 17 male) complaining of halitosis were considered as study group and 49 patients (31 female and 18 male) without halitosis as control group. All specimens were cultured on MSB agar media and isolates were identified as S. mutans by traditional tests. The number of S. mutans was determined as cfu/ml in each patient saliva. An organoleptic evaluation was carried out during the initial consultation with the distance of operator to patient (1 m =grade 3) and (30 cm =grade 2 and 10 cm =grade 1). Results: Of 51 patients with halitosis in 11 (21.61%) patients saliva S. mutans were detected. In 49 patients of control group, 14 subjects (28.6%) showed growth of S. mutans. There was no Statistical difference between halitosis group and control group in the frequency of Streptococcus mutans detection (OR= 0.69, 95% C.I: 0.28-1.71, p=0.419). Statistical analysis also did not show any significant difference between the number of S. mutans colonies per ml of saliva between halitosis and control groups (p=0.287). Conclusion: Our findings showed that there was no association exists between halitosis and the Streptococcus mutans presence in saliva.
ABSTRACT
Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa with treatment challenges for clinicians. Aims: The objective of this study is to compare the effects of cryotherapy as a new modality with topical corticosteroids as a conventional therapy in the treatment of OLP. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with bilateral OLP lesions were selected. From each patient a lesion on one side was chosen randomly for a single session of cryotherapy with nitrous oxide gas and the lesion on the other side received triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% ointment in orabase. Treatment outcome was measured by means of an appearance score, pain score (visual analogue scale), and severity of lesions before treatment and after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired samples t‑test and Wilcoxon test. Results: In both methods of treatment sign score, pain score and severity of lesions was significantly reduced in all follow‑up sessions (P < 0.05). But the treatment outcome and relapse was not significantly different between the two treatment methods (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Cryotherapy with nitrous oxide gas is as effective as topical triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of OLP with no systemic side effects and needs less patient compliance. It can be considered as an alternative or adjuvant therapy in OLP patients to reduce the use of treatments with adverse effects.