The effect of a chlorhexidine-fluoride varnish on mutans streptococci counts and laser fluorescence readings in occlusal fissures of permanent teeth: A split-mouth study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a new chlorhexidine-fluoride varnish on mutans streptococci (MS) counts and laser fluorescence (LF) readings in fissures of permanent molars. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The study group consisted of 57 healthy schoolchildren (7 to 14 yrs) that volunteered after informed consent. A double-blind split-mouth design was employed and 87 pairs of non-cavitated permanent molars were randomly assigned to treatments with either chlorhexidine-fluoride varnish (CHX-F) or chlorhexidine-thymol varnish (CHX-T, Cervitec Plus) as active control. The varnishes were topically applied at baseline and every sixth week throughout the 24-week study period. Endpoints were MS counts (CRT test) and occlusal LF readings (DIAGNOdent pen) registered regularly during follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, > 50% of the occlusal fissures harbored high MS counts (≥ 105 CFU), but a significant decrease (P < .05) was found after treatment with both varnishes. After 24 weeks, less than 5% exhibited high counts. There were no significant differences between the varnishes at any time point. The mean LF values were similar in both treatment groups at baseline, but a significant reduction (P < .05) was scored in the CHX-F group after 12 and 24 weeks. A similar reduction was found also in the CHX-T group after 24 weeks. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between the CHX-F and CHX-T varnishes in terms of MS suppression after four applications over 24 weeks. Both varnishes also reduced the LF readings significantly compared with baseline, but further long-term studies are needed to confirm a caries-preventive effect.

Taste perception in kallmann syndrome, a model of congenital anosmia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate taste, a component of flavor perception, using electrogustometry (EG) in patients with congenital anosmia associated with Kallmann syndrome (KS). METHODS: Four patients with KS and 4 control subjects participated in this study. During the first phase of the investigation, the study subjects were administered the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test. During the second phase of the study, EG testing of 2 regions on the anterior tongue tip was performed through an electrode. RESULTS: Patients with KS, as expected, scored in the anosmic range on the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test, whereas the control group had a normal sense of smell. The difference in the olfaction scores was significant between the 2 study groups (P<0.015). The result of taste assessment of patients with KS and control subjects with use of EG was not significantly different between the 2 study groups (P = 0.874). CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates that patients with KS have a normal sense of taste, as determined by EG. This finding is consistent with the fact that the deficit in KS is purely olfactory. Because flavor perception is not a common complaint in patients with this condition, it may be postulated that persons with KS compensate for the absent sense of smell. Further studies need to be undertaken to explore how patients with KS compensate for the olfactory dysfunction, information that should contribute to the understanding of the interplay of the various components of flavor perception.