ABSTRACT
Toothbrushes act as a reservoir for a variety of microorganisms, possibly leading to oral infection. Some manufacturers are marketing toothbrushes that incorporate materials such as charcoal in their bristles and claiming that they reduce bacterial contamination. The present study aimed to explore the antimicrobial nature of charcoal-infused and non-charcoal-infused bristles and to characterize both bristle types physically and morphologically to ascertain any differences that might influence their antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial property was analyzed using separate standard microbial solutions of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans to contaminate 40 commercially available toothbrushes of each bristle type, charcoal-infused and non-charcoal-infused (80 toothbrushes total), and microbial colonies were established. Each toothbrush head was rinsed 4 times in sterile tap water to simulate the brushing cycle, and the microbial counts of the rinsing solutions were recorded after the second and fourth rinses. After the fourth rinse, the toothbrush heads were left to dry for 20 hours, and the final microbial retention counts were recorded. The physical and morphologic characteristics of both bristle types were analyzed using Laser Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The microbiologic analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in colony counts from initial exposure to final retention of both microbes for both types of toothbrush (P < 0.05; Wilcoxon signed rank test). However, intergroup comparisons showed no significant differences between the brush types in final retention of either microbe. Raman spectroscopy showed similar carbon compositions for both types of bristle. No significant difference was found between the 2 types of toothbrushes regarding their characterization or antimicrobial activity. Therefore, before charcoal-infused toothbrushes are marketed as a means to reduce contamination, there is a need to identify an appropriate concentration, ascertain the mechanism of action, and identify the pathogen-specific action of charcoal.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents , Charcoal , Equipment Design , Streptococcus mutans , ToothbrushingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dental caries and periodontal disease are most common oral diseases. Streptococcus mutans are considered to be the major pathogens in initiation of dental caries. Evidence shows that periodontal disease and caries share a number of contributory factors. Thus in view of these findings it would be worthwhile to examine whether Streptococcus mutans persist within the saliva and subgingival environment of the periodontitis patients and to determine whether there is any association between Streptococcus mutans colonization, pH of saliva and sub-gingival plaque pH in periodontal diseases before therapy. METHODS: The study comprises of 75 subjects aged between 20-70 years, reporting to department of Periodontology, KLEs Institute of Dental Sciences, Bangalore. Subjects were divided into 3 groups of 25 each. Group 1 - Healthy controls, Group 2 - Gingivitis Group, 3 - Chronic periodontitis. Unstimulated saliva was collected in sterile container and immediately pH was evaluated. Subgingival plaque samples were collected from four deepest periodontal pockets in chronic periodontitis and from first molars in healthy subjects using 4 sterile paper points. In gingivitis subjects samples were collected from areas showing maximum signs of inflammation. All paper points and saliva samples were cultured on mitis salivarius agar culture media with bacitracin for quantification of the Streptococcus mutans colonies. RESULTS: Increased colonization of Streptococcus mutans was seen in chronic periodontitis subjects both in saliva and sub-gingival plaque samples. There was also a positive correlation seen with the periodontal parameters. CONCLUSION: More severe forms of periodontal disease may create different ecological niches for the proliferation of Streptococcus mutans.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two soft drinks, Coca-Cola and Mirinda orange on bracket bond strength, on adhesive remnant on teeth after debonding the bracket, and to observe by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) the effect of these drinks on intact and sealed enamel. METHODS: 120 non-carious maxillary premolar teeth already extracted for Orthodontic purposes were taken and divided into three groups, i.e., Coca-Cola drink, Mirinda orange, and control (artificial saliva) group. Brackets were bonded using conventional methods. Teeth were kept in soft drinks for 15 days, for 15 min, 3 times a day, separated by intervals of 2 h. At other times, they were kept in artificial saliva. The samples, thus obtained were evaluated for shear bond strength using the universal testing machine and subsequently subjected for adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores. SEM study on all the three groups was done for evaluating enamel surface of the intact and sealed enamel. RESULTS: The lowest mean resistance to shearing forces was shown by Mirinda orange group (5.30 ± 2.74 Mpa) followed by Coca-Cola group (6.24 ± 1.59 Mpa) and highest resistance to shearing forces by control group (7.33 ± 1.72 Mpa). The ARI scores revealed a cohesive failure in control samples and an adhesive failure in Mirinda and cola samples. SEM results showed areas of defect due to erosion caused by acidic soft drinks on intact and sealed enamel surface. CONCLUSION: Mirinda group showed the lowest resistance to shearing forces, followed by Coca-Cola group and with the highest resistance to shearing forces by the control group. There were significant differences between the control group and the study groups. Areas of defects, which were caused by erosion related to acidic soft drinks on the enamel surface around the adhesive, were seen. Areas of defects caused by Coca-Cola were more extensive when compared to Mirinda orange drink.
ABSTRACT
Today, we are in a world of innovations, and there are various diagnostics aids that help to take a decision regarding treatment in a well-planned way. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been a vital tool for imaging diagnostic tool in orthodontics. This article reviews case reports during orthodontic treatment and importance of CBCT during the treatment evaluation.
