Chlorhexidine Inhibits the Proteolytic Activity of Root and Coronal Carious Dentin in vitro.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine on the proteolytic activity of carious coronal and root dentin collected from patients. Sound dentin from freshly extracted human teeth was used as a control. Dentin fragments were mixed with a synthetic substrate for proteolytic enzymes (N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide--BANA) and the suspensions mixed with either 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate or distilled water. These mixtures were incubated for 18 h at 37 degrees C, color was developed by the addition of 0.1% Fast Garnet and their optical density was recorded spectrophotometrically. BANA hydrolysis measured by the optical density of incubated specimens was detected in all tested groups, but was significantly higher for carious than for sound dentin (p < 0.05). The proteolytic activity was reduced for carious coronal and root dentin by chlorhexidine (p < 0.05; 50 and 30%, respectively). Chlorhexidine also reduced the proteolytic activity in sound root dentin (p < 0.05; 20%). Conversely, changes in the proteolytic activity of sound coronal dentin were not observed in the presence of chlorhexidine. The reduction in proteolytic activity by chlorhexidine was significantly higher in carious coronal dentin than in carious root dentin (p < 0.05). In conclusion, part of the effect of chlorhexidine in controlling caries progression in humans may be due to a decrease in the proteolytic activity of carious coronal and root dentin. Because of the prolonged incubation time in the present study, similar results may be obtained clinically with prolonged dentin exposure to chlorhexidine, e.g. chlorhexidine-containing varnishes.

Inheritance of occlusal topography: a twin study.

AIM: This was to determine the relative contribution of genetic factors on the morphology of occlusal surfaces of mandibular primary first molars by employing the twin study model. METHODS: The occlusal morphology of mandibular primary first molar teeth from dental casts of 9 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs and 12 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs 4 to 7 years old, were digitized by contact-type three-dimensional (3D) scanner. To compare the similarity of occlusal morphology between twin sets, each twin pair of occlusal surfaces was superimposed to establish the best fit by using computerized least squared techniques. Heritability was computed using a variance component model, adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS: DZ pairs demonstrated a greater degree of occlusal morphology variance. The total amount of difference in surface overlap was 0.0508 mm (0.0018 (inches) for the MZ (n=18) sample and 0.095 mm (0.0034 inches) for the DZ (n=24) sample and were not statistically significant (p=0.2203). The transformed mean differences were not statistically significantly different (p=0.2203). Heritability estimates of occlusal surface areas for right and left mandibular primary first molars were 97.5% and 98.2% (p<0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusal morphology of DZ twin pairs was more variable than that of MZ twin pairs. Heritability estimates revealed that genetic factors strongly influence occlusal morphology of mandibular primary first molars.

Microbial acid production (Clinpro Cario L-Pop) and dental caries in infants and children.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the Clinpro Cario-L-Pop test as it relates to dental caries rates and severity in infants and children. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The study population was comprised of 771 infants and children who were on average 5.2 years of age (range of 1.5 to 8 years of age). Examiners conducted dental caries clinical examination using established criteria. In addition, lesion severity was determined be measuring its depth. An indicator swab was applied to the tongue dorsum until completely moistened with saliva. The indicator swab was processed according to the manufacturer's instructions, and acid production was assessed with the aid of a color chart. RESULTS: Twenty-three percent of children were caries free, and 7% (n = 50) of participants were categorized as having low production of lactic acid (scores 1 to 3), 17% (n = 135) moderate production of lactic acid (scores 4 to 6), and 76% (n = 586) high production of lactic acid (scores 7 to 9). There was a tendency for moderate and high lactic acid formers to exhibit higher surface-based caries prevalence rates, higher rates for deep dentinal lesions, and increased lesion severity. There was a linear increase of white spot surface-based lesions from low to high lactic acid formers and for initial dentinal lesions. Clinpro Cario-L-Pop test results, when controlling for age and gender, significantly distinguished caries-free participants from those exhibiting any form of decay. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Clinpro Cario-L-Pop test was useful in explaining elevated frequency and severity of dental caries in spite of the high levels of decay and of microbial acid production observed in this population.

Comparison of culture media and chairside assays for enumerating mutans streptococci.

AIM: This study compared several traditional culture-based media and chairside cultural assays for ability to recover mutans streptococci (MS) from pure cultures and from saliva samples. METHODS AND RESULTS: When pure cultures were used with traditional culture-based media, mitis-salivarius bacitracin (MSB) agar demonstrated less support for bacterial recovery than trypticase-yeast extract-cysteine sucrose-bacitracin (TYCSB) agar and the modified medium of Ritz (HLR-S). One species of MS, Streptococcus ferus (c), was not recovered on MSB medium. Chairside cultural tests displayed considerable disparity between tests in recovering bacteria from pure cultures. On the glass adherence assay (Mucount), S. ferus was not detected and Streptococcus criceti was not detected on the dipslide assay (Cariescreen SM) or on the plastic adherence assay (Dentocult SM Strip mutans). The frequency of isolation of pure strains of bacteria other than MS was common. From saliva samples, the frequency of isolation of MS on HLR-S and TYCSB media and the glass adherence assay was 91-97%. The frequency of isolation on MSB medium and on the dip-slide and plastic adherence assays was significantly decreased (37, 47 and 69%, respectively). Recovery scores varied considerably among the culture methods studied and tended to be highest on the HLR-S medium and on the glass adherence assay. CONCLUSIONS: Growth and recovery profiles of pure bacterial cultures and of saliva samples for the MS varied according to different media. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Caution should be exercised in comparing results between studies that employ different cultural methods for MS enumeration.

Microbial risk indicators of early childhood caries.

The aim of this study was to use molecular identification methods, such as 16S RNA gene sequence and reverse-capture checkerboard hybridization, for identification of the bacteria associated with dental caries and with dental health in a subset of 204 twins aged 1.5 to 7 years old. A total of 448 plaque samples (118 collected from caries-free subjects and 330 from caries-active subjects) were used for analysis. We compared the bacteria found in biofilms of children exhibiting severe dental caries, with different degrees of lesion severity, with those found in biofilms of caries-free children. A panel of 82 bacterial species was selected, and a PCR-based reverse-capture checkerboard method was used for detection. A simple univariate test was used to determine the overabundance and underabundance of bacterial species in the diseased and in the healthy groups. Features identified with this univariate test were used to construct a probabilistic disease prediction model. Furthermore, a method for the analysis of global patterns of gene expression was performed to permit simultaneous analysis of the abundance of significant species by allowing cross-bacterial comparisons of abundance profiles between caries-active and caries-free subjects. Our results suggested that global patterns of microbial abundance in this population are very distinctive. The top bacterial species found to be overabundant in the caries-active group were Actinomyces sp. strain B19SC, Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus spp., which exhibited an inverse relationship to beneficial bacterial species, such as Streptococcus parasanguinis, Abiotrophia defectiva, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, and Streptococcus sanguinis.

Longitudinal analysis of heritability for dental caries traits.

The role of genetic and environmental factors on dental caries progression in young children was determined. A detailed caries assessment was performed in 2 examinations on 314 pairs of twins initially 1.5 to 8 years old. Surface-based caries prevalence rates (SBCPR) and lesion severity (LSI) were computed. Heritability estimates were calculated by SOLAR software. Analyses were performed on all ages combined and by age group (1.5-< 4; 4-6; > 6). Overall heritability estimates (H) of net increments SBCPRs were H = 30.0 (p < 0.0001), and were greatest for the youngest (H = 30.0) and oldest groups (H = 46.3). Overall LSI heritability estimates [H = 36.1 (p < 0.0001)] were also greatest for the youngest (H = 51.2) and oldest groups (H = 50.6). Similar findings were found for net increments of occlusal surfaces and deep dentinal lesions SBCPRs (H = 46.4-56.2). These findings are consistent with a significant genetic contribution to dental caries progression and severity in both emerging primary and permanent dentitions.

Dental caries and microbial acid production in twins.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative contribution of genetic and environmental stimuli on dental caries traits and microbial acid production in a twin model. METHODS: Dental caries examinations and microbial acid production assays were performed on 388 pairs of twins 1.5-8 years old from the city of Montes Claros, Brazil. Genotyping 8 polymorphic DNA markers determined zygosity. Caries exams followed NIDCR criteria modified to distinguish white spot lesions from cavitated lesions. Surface-based caries prevalence rates (SBCPR) were computed and lesion severity was determined by a weighted index (LSI). Biofilm samples were collected from the tongue using a lactic acid indicator swab. Assay scores were categorized based on acid formation as 1 = low, 2 = medium, and 3 = high. Heritability analyses were performed using the SOLAR software package. RESULTS: Heritability estimates for SBCPRs, LSI and for microbial acid production were H = 76.3 (p < 0.001), H = 70.6 (p < 0.001), H = 16.2 (p = 0.0078), respectively. Treating microbial acid production as a covariate in the SBCPR and LSI models did not significantly alter the heritability estimates, i.e. H = 76.5 (p < 0.001) and H = 70.8 (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that variation in dental caries surface traits has a significant genetic contribution and that microbial acid production is modulated by the environment.

Mutans streptococci in preschool twins.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether genetic factors influence variation in salivary levels of the mutans streptococci (MS) in preschool twins. DESIGN: The study population consisted of 48 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins and 54 pairs of dizygotic (DZ) twins. Genotyping eight highly polymorphic DNA markers determined zygosity. Demographic data and antibiotic exposure as reported by mothers were obtained by a face-to-face interview. Salivary levels of MS were determined by the Stripmutanstrade mark test. Test results are reported on a scale of 0-3. Regression analysis, two sample t-tests and structural equation modeling were applied to analyse the data. RESULTS: Only 6% of the participants ever visited a dentist (F component of the DMFS was 0 for this population). Average salivary scores for the mutans streptococci were significantly different between MZ (1.1+/-0.1) and DZ (0.8+/-0.1) twins (p=0.021). High salivary levels of MS (scores 2 and 3) were observed in 42% of MZ twins and in 26% of DZ twins. Regression analysis on the MS salivary levels revealed no significant effects of age, gender and antibiotic intake for MZ or DZ twins. The heritability of mutans streptococci colonisation in 48 pairs MZ and in 26 pairs of DZ twins was estimated to be 52%. The non-shared environment contribution was estimated to be 48%. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that variation in the salivary levels of the mutans streptococci is significantly contributed by genetic factors.

Antibacterial activity of honey and propolis from Apis mellifera and Tetragonisca angustula against Staphylococcus aureus.

AIMS: The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus of honey and propolis produced by Apis mellifera and Tetragonisca angustula was evaluated. Secondary aims included the study of the chemical composition of propolis and honey samples and its relationship with antibacterial activity against S. aureus. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antibacterial activity of honey and propolis was determined by the method of macrodilution. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) of A. mellifera honey ranged from 126.23 to 185.70 mg ml(-1) and of T. angustula from 142.87 to 214.33 mg ml(-1). For propolis, the MIC ranged from 0.36 to 3.65 mg ml(-1) (A. mellifera) and from 0.44 to 2.01 mg ml(-1) (T. angustula). Honey and propolis were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Some typical compounds of Brazilian propolis were also identified in honey samples. Principal component analysis revealed that the chemical composition of honey and propolis samples was distinct based on the geographical location of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: Propolis samples had higher antibacterial activity against S. aureus when compared with honey. However, both propolis and honey samples had antibacterial against S. aureus. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These antimicrobial properties would warrant further studies on the clinical applications of propolis and honey against S. aureus.

A model for clinical evaluation of the effect of antimicrobial agents on carious dentin.

PURPOSE: To evaluate, longitudinally, the effect of a chlorhexidine varnish on the proteolytic activity of dentin caries in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 permanent molars and 8 primary molars with carious lesions in dentin were studied in subjects 18-35 yrs old (n=20), and 5-6 yrs old (n=8) respectively. These lesions were clinically evaluated according to texture and color. Carious dentin specimens were obtained by means of biopsies performed with a #4 carbide bur at the initial visit (TO) before application of a 10% chlorhexidine varnish and 2, 4, 8, and 12 wks thereafter. The dentin biopsies were immersed in Sorensen's buffer, vortexed for 30 s, and mixed with a 1.67 mM solution of n-benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide (BANA), a substrate for proteolytic enzymes. Samples were incubated overnight at 37 degrees C and color was developed with 0.1% fast garnet. The optical density (OD) of reaction mixtures was recorded photometrically. All teeth were grouped for analysis, as Mann-Whitney tests revealed no statistically significant differences between median values for OD for both age groups. ANOVA was used to compare progressive inhibition of proteolytic activity in dentin caries samples over time. RESULTS: The average proteolytic activity at the dentin substrates (OD) at TO and 2, 4, 8 and 12 wks thereafter were 0.794+/-0.089, 0.741+/-0.071, 0.676+/-0.087, 0.600+/-0.094, and 0.508+/-0.108 respectively. The chlorhexidine varnish mediated a significant inhibition of the proteolytic activity present in dentin caries after 12 wks (P<0.0001). At T0, 100% of the carious lesions examined were characterized as soft upon exploration. After 12 wks, 54% (15/28) of the lesions were partially hardened and 46% (13/28) hardened/nonprogressing. The dentin color was yellow/light brown in 100% of the lesions at baseline, and dark brown/black in 86% (24/28) after 12 wks. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrated that chlorhexidine varnishes arrested active caries in vivo and inhibited the proteolytic activity present in these lesions. These findings strengthen the rationale for including chlorhexidine in the overall treatment strategy for patients with high caries activity.

Unstimulated salivary flow rates of young children.

OBJECTIVE: Studies on salivary flow rates in human beings have mainly been carried out with adults. The purpose of this study was to determine the unstimulated salivary flow rates of children 4 to 7 years old. In addition, the relative contributions of the variables age, gender, race, height, body weight, dentition status, use of prescription medication, and health status (information obtained from parents) to the unstimulated salivary flow rates of children were also studied. STUDY DESIGN: Data were obtained from children (n = 447) at 2 sites in the United States (site 1, southeast Michigan; site 2, northern Michigan) and at 5 sites in Brazil (site 3, Porto Alegre; site 4, São Paulo; site 5, Belém; and sites 6 and 7, sites in Rio de Janeiro). In northern Michigan (site 2) the participants were cognitively or developmentally disabled, or both. In Rio de Janeiro (site 7), a group of 8- to 12-year-olds served as a control group. Saliva samples were collected for 3 minutes between 9 AM and noon in the spring or summer, and the saliva rate was determined gravimetrically. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance, bivariate analysis, and regression analysis. RESULTS: The secretion rates at the 7 sites were (in milliliters per minute) 0.19 +/- 0.15, 0.23 +/- 0.28, 0.34 +/- 0.23, 0.48 +/- 0.37, 0.25 +/- 0.27, 0.37 +/- 0.28, and 0.61 +/- 0.34, respectively. There were significant differences among sites (P <.0001). The older group (site 7) had flow rates that were significantly higher than the flow rates of any other group. In addition, children from Michigan (sites 1 and 2) had significantly lower rates than most groups of children in Brazil. Girls had lower unstimulated salivary flow rates than boys did at all the sites, but the differences were not statistically significant. Race was shown not to affect the flow rates. The use of any prescription medication by children in the previous 3 months was associated with lower salivary flow rates than were found in children not using prescription medication. Children who were in good health and who had no previous medical conditions had higher flow rates--but not significantly so. Higher flow rates occurred in children with mixed dentition than in children with primary dentition, although again the differences were not statistically significant. Regression analysis revealed weight to be of significance in explaining the variability of the unstimulated salivary flow rates at 2 sites, height at 1 site, the use of prescription medication at 2 sites, and age at 1 site. CONCLUSIONS: The unstimulated salivary flow rates in children in the northern United States are comparable with those reported for Japanese children, whereas the flow rates of children in Brazil are comparable with those reported for North American and European adults. In addition, none of the demographic variables/parameters tested contributed consistently to the variability of the unstimulated salivary flow rates in children at the 7 sites assessed in this study.

Medication usage and dental caries outcome-related variables in HIV/AIDS patients.

The purpose of this study was to access current medication usage by HIV/AIDS patients and its effects on dental caries and on unstimulated salivary flow rates. Thirty females and 127 males (mean age = 39.6 +/- 7.4 years), of whom 46% were White/Non-Hispanic, 39% African-American, and 15% Hispanic, were examined and interviewed at the Bering Dental Clinic, Houston, Texas. The mean time in years after seroconversion was 5.4 +/- 4.1. Calibrated examiners performed dental caries examination (DMFS) with dental explorers and bitewing radiographs. Interviews were carried out with pretested questionnaires, and medication usage was assessed by illustrative examples of HIV/AIDS medications. Salivary flow rates were determined gravimetrically (mL/min). Bivariate analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data. Because there were no race or gender effects on dental caries outcome variables or salivary flow rates, separate logistic regression models for medication usage were generated, which were adjusted for age and CD4+ cell counts. Patients who, currently, were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) had a lower occurrence of dental caries than patients not taking these medications. An unexpected finding in the lower caries rate group was a decrease in salivary flow rates, which was a probable oral side effect of ART. It appears from this cross-sectional study that systemic medication for the management of HIV disease has no significant detrimental effect on the dentition.

Minor salivary gland secretion in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: Very little information exists on minor salivary gland output (MSGO) in health and disease. We investigated the minor salivary gland output of elderly subjects with different medical backgrounds and the relationship of that output with life practices, demographic variables, complaints of dry mouth, medication usage, functional status, medical treatments, and dental and medical variables. STUDY DESIGN: MSGO was measured with a special moisture-detecting paper on the lip, cheek, and palate, which comprised the total MSGO. A parsimonious linear regression model was developed to determine which of the many measured variables influenced the MSGO. RESULTS: There were significant differences in MSGO between the recruitment sites, with the non-Veteran Affairs (VA) Independent Living participants having significantly lower MSGO than the VA groups. A secretion rate for MSGO based on median values from all subjects of <4.6 microL/min was categorized as being low, whereas a secretion rate for MSGO >/=4.6 microL/min was categorized as high. A regression model was used to examine variables that could be associated with MSGO variability. The results show that being older, a woman, a current smoker, and having a complaint of dry mouth were associated with lower MSGO rates. CONCLUSIONS: An association between subjective complaints of dry mouth and a decrease in MSGO measured objectively was demonstrated in this elderly population. Furthermore, age and sex effects on MSGO were also demonstrated.

Evaluation of phenolic compounds in Brazilian propolis from different geographic regions.

Chemometrics has been shown quite efficient to uncover relationships between chemical composition of a sample and its geographical origin. Forty propolis samples originated from the the South and South East of Brazil were analyzed by HPLC and 18 compounds of interest were studied which included: caffeic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids, and some of their derivatives, pinobanksin, a derivative of kaempferol and five phenolic compounds (assigned as 3-prenyl4-hydroxycinnamic acid (PHCA); 2,2-dimethyl-6-carboxyethnyl-2H-1-benzopyran (DCBE); 3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (DHCA); compound E (still unknown) and 6-propenoic-2,2-dimethyl-8-prenyl-2H-1-benzopyran acid (DPB). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated three different groups of propolis samples, having the same typical chromatogram, evaluated by HPLC. Samples from the South East group were rich in derivatives of kaempferol. Samples from the South group I had a high content of DPB compound, but a low concentration of kaempferol derivatives and of DCBEN compound. Samples from the South group II were characterized by a high concentration of DCBEN, DHCA, p-coumaric and DPB compounds. Therefore, the identification of new compounds in Brazilian propolis can give, useful information about the plant sources of a given geographic region.

Risk indicators for periodontal diseases in Guatemalan adolescents.

A random sample of sixty-two 11-15-year-old adolescents from 17 different locations in Guatemala were selected for this study. Pocket depth, Plaque Index, and bleeding upon probing were recorded from 6 randomly selected sites in each subject (a total of 372 sites). Subgingival plaque samples were subsequently collected from these sites and processed by several assays. For cost reasons, in each pair of sites different assays were performed as follows: sites #1, #2--BANA test for T. denticola, P. gingivalis, B. forsythus and screening of plaque samples with polyclonal antibodies (ELISA system) for A. actinomycetemcomitans; sites #3, #4--detection of yeasts by SAB agar; sites #5, #6--detection of Entamoeba gingivalis by the Heidenhain iron hematoxylin modified technique. A total of 66% of the children had at least one site that bled upon probing, 42% exhibited at least one site with pocket depth > 3 mm, and 79% exhibited a high Plaque Index, with the percent of sites affected being 30%, 12% and 41%, respectively. In sites #1, #2 (N = 124), the BANA test assay and A. actinomycetemcomitans tested positive in 77% and 47% of the children accounting for 59% and 31% of the sites, respectively. In sites #3, #4 (N = 124), yeasts were detected in 43% of the children and 29% of the sites. In sites #5, #6 (N = 124), Entamoeba gingivalis was detected in 21% of the children and in 11% of the sites. The risk for severe gingival inflammation and/or increased probing depth was 1.5 and 5.2 times higher if a positive BANA test or A. actinomycetemcomitans test was found in a particular site. No associations could be found for yeasts and Entamoeba gingivalis.

Chlorhexidine varnishes prevent gingivitis in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine, a cationic anti-microbial agent, prevents gingivitis by inhibiting plaque accumulation. Gingivitis is the most predominant form of periodontal disease in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a chlorhexidine varnish on the gingival status of adolescents. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 10-15 years old adolescents randomly divided into a control (C) and a treatment (T) group, n = 53 and n = 57, respectively. After restoration of all caries lesions, a prophylaxis was given to both C and T groups. A 10 percent chlorhexidine varnish was applied to the entire dentition of T subjects at BL; and one week and three months thereafter. One calibrated examiner determined blindly the Gingival Index (GI) of all subjects. RESULTS: The average percentage of sites per subject with GI scores of 2 or 3 at BL, and after three and six months for the T group were, respectively, 3.68 +/- 7.13, 0.71 +/- 2.43 and 0.16 +/- 0.62. The corresponding values for the C group were 2.11 +/- 3.68, 1.27 +/- 2.94 and 1.59 +/- 5.20. Profile analysis revealed that over a 6-month period subjects of T group had significantly fewer sites with GI scores 2 and 3 than subjects in the C group (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the professional application of a chlorhexidine varnish significantly improved the gingival health of adolescents over a 6-month period.

Accuracy of proximal caries depth determination using two intraoral film speeds.

Bite-wing radiographs are an integral part of a thorough diagnostic evaluation for interproximal caries. This study evaluates the observers' ability to assess correctly proximal carious lesion depth with two different speeds of intraoral film. Significant underestimation of lesion depths by the observers with both imaging modalities are shown, with no significant diagnostic difference between the two film types for both the presence and extent of caries.

Avaliaçäo de fatores relacionados à transmissäo de infecçöes pelos Estreptococos do Grupo Mutans / Evaluation of factors related to the transmission of infections by the Mutans Streptococci

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os fatores relacionados à transmissäo de infecçöes pelos Estreptococos do Grupo Mutans (EM), dentre eles, quais as pessoas que estäo em maior contato com crianças na idade de dois a seis anos e qual é a correlaçäo dos níveis em EM existentes na saliva das crianças e seus responsáveis. Os resultados evidenciaram que säo as mäes as pessoas que ficam mais tempo com suas crianças e que existe uma similaridade bastante alta (73 por cento) entre os níveis de EM na saliva dos responsáveis e na saliva das respectivas crianças

Preliminary report on the effects of propolis on wound healing in the dental pulp.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the antimicrobial and healing potential of propolis on direct dental pulp exposures. This study used 25 adult male rats. Pulp exposures were performed and animals were allocated to propolis and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2 groups. Animals were killed on days 5, 7, 10, and 14. The teeth were routinely processed for histological evaluation. Non-parametric tests were employed to analyze the data. No significant differences were found between study groups on the wound healing of the dental pulp. Both substances were comparable in exhibiting normal reorganization of the pulp and no increased vascularity, and were equally efficacious in maintaining a low inflammatory and microbial cell population as well as in stimulating the formation of reparative dentin.

Similarities of periodontal clinical and microbiological parameters in mother-child pairs.

The aim of this study was to verify the association between children and their mothers (N = 28) for periodontal clinical and microbiological measures. Periodontal clinical parameters (probing depth and bleeding on probing) were obtained from six reference teeth from each mother-child pair. In addition, subgingival plaque samples taken from the same reference teeth were collected and placed on the Perioscan test for the detection of Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Bacteroides forsythus. There were statistically significant differences between children and mothers regarding probing depth; there was an overall tendency for mothers to exhibit average probing depths greater than their children. In contrast, if a child had a bleeding site, the respective site on the mother usually also bled on probing, implying that there was an association in terms of bleeding between the mother-child pairs. Similar findings were observed for the Perioscan test. It is concluded that the occurrence of bleeding and periodontal anaerobic infections (as determined by the Perioscan test) were similar in reference teeth of mother-child pairs. These data suggest that parents with periodontal disease may serve as a reservoir of periodontopathic organisms for their children.