Effect of lacteal products containing probiotic in the progression of tooth decay around orthodontic brackets

Objective: To evaluate the progression of caries around orthodontic brackets after the enamel has been exposed to lacteal products containing probiotics. Methods: Orthodontic brackets were bonded to the enamel surfaces. The test specimens were randomly divided into six groups: G1-negative control; G2-positive control, exposed to culture environment only (without microorganisms); G3-exposed to the cariogenic environment and the fermented cow's milk without probiotic; G4-exposed to the cariogenic environment and fermented cow's milk with probiotic; G5-exposed to the cariogenic environment and yogurt without probiotic; and G6-exposed to the cariogenic environment and yogurt with probiotic. The groups were placed in brain heart infusion medium, supplemented with 2% sucrose and with 1x106 cells/ml of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC). The Shapiro-Wilk, Levene, Student t, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests were used. Results: all groups exposed to the ATCC strains showed lower final microhardness, compared to the negative control (p0.05). Conclusions: Lacteal products are not able to prevent the progression of caries around orthodontic brackets.

Eruption sequestrum: an inflamed odontogenic hamartoma.

Eruption sequestrum (ES) is a single or even multiple, small whitish calcified masses found within the soft tissue of the opercula overlying the crown of erupting permanent molars of children. We herein report a well-documented case of ES, offering a review of published cases in the English literature. An otherwise healthy 6-year-old girl was seen for routine dental examination. A fragment of hard whitish tissue was observed in the gingiva overlying the erupting lower first permanent molar, which showed radiographic appearance of a faint round radiopacity above and separated from the occlusal surface of the related tooth. The patient was submitted to an excisional biopsy, and gross examination showed a hardened whitish fragment surrounded by gingival mucosa. Microscopic examination revealed odontogenic epithelium in association with chronic inflammatory infiltrate and small blood vessels in the connective tissue. Small concentric basophilic calcifications, round osteodentin, and pulp-like structures were also observed. The microscopic evaluation of additional cases of ES may improve the understanding of this uncommon inflamed odontogenic hamartoma.