Effects of probiotic yogurt, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, and xylitol chewing gums on the salivary count of Streptococcus mutans: A single-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Dental caries is a preventable multifactorial disease, with Streptococcus mutans being suggested to be its primary pathogen. Our study aim was to compare the effects of three different low-cost and easy-to-use regimens with that of the gold standard (chlorhexidine [CHX] mouthwash) on the count of salivary S. mutans in dental students over 30 days. Materials and Methods: In this single-blinded parallel randomized controlled clinical trial, a total of 120 dental students were included and randomly allocated into four intervention groups: (1) CHX mouthwash (control(, (2) probiotic yogurt, (3) casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate chewing gum, and (4) xylitol chewing gum. Salivary S. mutans counts were evaluated at baseline, 15 days, and 30 days after initiation of the study and compared at different times and among different groups using the repeated measures analysis of variance design analysis and least significant difference test with SPSS software version 20. The level of significance was determined to be 0.05. Results: The microorganism count variable at baseline, first, and second follow-ups was significantly different for all groups except the probiotic yogurt group (P = 0.340). S. mutans count was significantly different when comparing the first follow-up and baseline values in the CHX and xylitol gum groups (P = 0.027, P = 0.037). When comparing the second follow-up with baseline values, a significant difference was observed in the xylitol gum group (P = 0.003). Conclusion: Xylitol chewing gum seems to be a viable alternative to the gold standard (CHX mouthwash) in reducing the salivary count of S. mutans.

A randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

This study compared the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) versus laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 45 TMD patients were randomly divided into three groups. In group 1 (LLLT), a GaAlAs laser was applied on painful masticatory muscles and TMJs (810 nm, 200 mW, 30 s per point, Gaussian beam, spot size 0.28 cm2, 21 J/cm2) two times a week for 5 weeks. In group 2 (LAT), the laser was emitted bilaterally on acupuncture points (ST6, ST7, LI4) with the same settings as the LLLT group. Group 3 (placebo) underwent treatment with sham laser. The patients were evaluated before treatment (T1), after 5 (T2) and 10 (T3) laser applications, and 1 month later (T4). The mandibular range of motion as well as pain intensity in masticatory system was recorded at each interval. There was no significant difference in mouth opening between the groups (p > 0.05), but the amount of lateral excursive and protrusive movements was significantly greater in LLLT and LAT groups than the placebo group at some intervals (p < 0.05). The overall pain intensity and pain degree at masticatory muscles (except temporal muscle) and TMJs were significantly lower in both experimental groups than the placebo group at most intervals after therapy (p < 0.05). Both LLLT and LAT were effective in reducing pain and increasing excursive and protrusive mandibular motion in TMD patients. LAT could be suggested as a suitable alternative to LLLT, as it provided effective results while taking less chair time.