A novel delivery system of probiotic drop and its effect on dental caries risk factors in cleft lip/palate children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri on the levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in children with cleft lip/palate who used the novel drop containing L. reuteri. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 19 operated cleft lip/palate children aged 4 to 12 years. The study had a double-blind, randomized crossover design, and the experimental period consisted of four consecutive time periods. During periods 2 and 4, consisting of 25 days each, parents were instructed that their children should consume 5 drops per day (0.15 to 0.20 g) of probiotic or placebo drops produced by the same manufacturer. The probiotic drop, BioGaia Reuteri drops, contained L. reuteri DSM 17938 and L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 (≥1 × 10(8) CFU/5 drops). The counts of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were evaluated using the CRT tests. The data were processed with NCSS 2007 software using chi-square and McNemar tests. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant (p > .05) reduction of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli after 25 days of consumption of both drops. CONCLUSIONS: The novel drop containing L. reuteri may not reduce the levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in cleft lip/palate children.

Orthodontic treatment of a transmigrated mandibular canine: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Intraosseous migration of a lower canine across the midline is a rare dental anomaly. The treatment options include: forced eruption of the unerupted tooth using orthodontic traction, autotransplantation, extraction followed by prosthetic replacement. AIM: To report the management of a transmigrated lower right canine. METHOD: The treatment involved surgical, orthodontic and cosmetic dental treatment. No permanent teeth were extracted. RESULTS: The transmigrated canine was placed between the left central and lateral incisors and the crown recontoured to simulate a lateral incisor. An acceptable aesthetic and functional outcome was gained. CONCLUSION: Transmigration is a rare dental condition that can be treated successfully with a collaborative effort from several dental disciplines.

Oral colonization by Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 after exposure to probiotics.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 can be detected in the oral cavity after discontinuation of administration of a product prepared with this bacterium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of three 2-week periods: clearance period, intervention period, and post-treatment period. Twenty-five volunteers consumed a chewable tablet of L. reuteri ATCC 55730 (10(8) cfu/tablet) during a 14-day trial period. Saliva samples were collected and cultured onto MRS agar after a clearance period of 2 weeks and then daily after a 2-week intervention period for as long as L. reuteri was found. Lactobacillus reuteri colonies were analysed in saliva samples. The analysis was performed using selective media for L. reuteri followed by confirmation using the specific detection of reuterin produced by L. reuteri. RESULTS: The number of L. reuteri carriers decreased gradually, and after 1 week only 8% of the subjects harboured the bacterium. After 5 weeks, L. reuteri was not detected in any of the subjects. CONCLUSION: Consuming L. reuteri for 2 weeks does not seem to be sufficient for permanent colonization of L. reuteri in the oral cavity.

Reduction of salivary mutans streptococci in orthodontic patients during daily consumption of yoghurt containing probiotic bacteria.

Previous studies have suggested that probiotic supplements in dairy products may affect the oral microbial ecology, but the effect in orthodontic patients has not previously been reported. The aim of the present study was to examine whether short-term consumption of fruit yogurt containing probiotic bifidobacteria would affect the levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. A double-blind, randomized crossover study was performed and 24 healthy adolescents (12-16 years) undergoing orthodontic treatment were followed over four periods. During periods 2 and 4 (2 weeks each), the subjects ingested 200 g fruit yogurt containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DN-173010 (2 x 10(8) colony forming units/g) once daily or a control yogurt without viable bacteria. Periods 1 and 3 were run-in and wash-out periods of 1 and 6 weeks, respectively. Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were enumerated with chair-side kits before and after the yogurt consumption periods. Pre- and post-treatment values within each regimen were compared with a two-tailed marginal homogeneity test for categorical data. A statistically significant reduction of salivary mutans streptococci was recorded after probiotic yogurt consumption (P < 0.05), which was in contrast to the control yogurt. No significant alterations of the salivary lactobacilli counts were observed. Short-term daily consumption of fruit yogurt containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DN-173010 may reduce the levels of mutans streptococci in saliva during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

The erosive potential of different malt drinks: an in vitro and in situ study.

OBJECTIVES: Whereas the potential effect of acidic drinks in the etiology of dental erosion is well recognized the role of malt drinks is unclear. The primary aim of the present study was to compare the in vitro erosive effect on enamel produced by different aromated malt drinks. A secondary objective was to compare their erosive effects in situ with those determined in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To select the malt drink for the study in situ, six commercially available malt drinks were examined for erosive potential in vitro. The study in situ was a single centre, 2-period, 2-treatment crossover study to compare the erosive effect of a commercially available malt drink (Test), with that of natural spring water (Control), over 10 day periods on 10 healthy volunteers. Subjects wore upper removable appliances containing two human enamel specimens from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The regimen of intake of the drinks was 250 ml at midday. Measurements of enamel loss were made on samples after 5 and 10 days by profilometry. RESULTS: The in situ study showed a statistically significant difference in erosive potential between the test and control beverages. No specimen exposed to the control beverage displayed appreciable erosion. Erosion occurred with the test drink, but to a variable degree between subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Malt drinks should be considered as potentially erosive as the results for enamel specimens exposed to the test beverage in the clinical study showed a degree of erosion that varied greatly between different participants. It is likely that under these conditions an increase in the degree of erosion would be observed in children and young people who consume malt drinks.

A probiotic lozenge administered medical device and its effect on salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that lactobacilli-derived probiotics in dairy products may affect oral ecology, but the effects of different delivery methods have received little attention. AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri, delivered by a new medical device, on the levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in young women with high Streptococcus mutans counts. DESIGN: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 20 healthy young women (aged 20 years): 10 as subjects and 10 as controls. The study subjects (Group A) sucked the medical device containing the probiotic lozenge with L. reuteri ATCC 55730/L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 (1.1 x 10(8) CFU) once daily for 10 days, while the control subjects (Group B) received placebo medical devices without bacteria. Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were enumerated with chair-side kits at baseline and 1 day after the final ingestion. RESULTS: Salivary S. mutans levels in the probiotic test group were significantly reduced, with statistical significance of reduction (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A short-term daily ingestion of lactobacilli-derived probiotics delivered via medical device containing probiotic lozenge reduced the levels of salivary mutans.

Evaluation of the fluoride release from orthodontic band cements.

PURPOSE: To compare the fluoride levels released from a polyacid-modified resin composite (Ultra BandLok), a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (Multicure) and a conventional glass-ionomer cement (Meron). METHODS: Fluoride concentration in the deionized water was measured at 1, 2, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. Fluoride measurement was undertaken using a fluoride ion selective electrode connected to an ion-analyzer. Friedman test was used in the repeated measurements of multiple groups. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the groups. Dunn's multiple comparison test was applied for the comparison of subgroups. RESULTS: The fluoride release pattern of the three materials was similar. The highest level of fluoride was obtained at the 24-hour measurement from all samples. According to comparisons among materials, Ultra BandLok released significantly less fluoride than Multicure and Meron (P < or = 0.01) at all the measurement times. In addition, the differences between the fluoride concentrations released from Multicure and Meron materials at all measurement days were not significant (P> 0.05).

Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli levels after ingestion of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 by straws or tablets.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have suggested that lactobacilli-derived probiotics in dairy products may affect oral ecology, but the impact of different vehicles of ingestion has received little attention. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 on the levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in young adults when ingested by two different delivery systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material comprised 120 healthy young adults (21-24 years) and a placebo-controlled study design with parallel arms was utilized. The subjects were randomly assigned to four equally sized groups: group A drank 200 ml of water through a prepared straw containing L. reuteri ATCC 55730 once daily for 3 weeks, while group B took 200 ml water through a placebo straw during the same period. Group C was given one tablet containing L. reuteri ATCC 55730 once daily for 3 weeks, while group D received placebo tablets without bacteria. Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were enumerated with chair-side kits at baseline and 1 day after the final ingestion. RESULTS: A statistically significant reduction of the mutans streptococci levels was recorded after ingestion of the probiotic bacteria via the straw (p<0.05) and the tablets (p<0.01), which was in contrast to the placebo controls. A similar but non-significant trend was seen for lactobacilli. CONCLUSIONS: A short-term daily ingestion of lactobacilli-derived probiotics delivered by prepared straws or lozenges reduced the levels of salivary mutans streptococci in young adults.

Delayed eruption of a mandibular primary cuspid associated with compound odontoma.

Although odontomas are considered to be a common type of odontogenic tumor, they rarely occur solely in the primary dentition. This case report presents an eight and a half-year-old-child with a compound odontoma located in the mandible, which caused the impaction of both primary and permanent canines.

Fluoride release/uptake of glass-ionomer cements and polyacid-modified composite resins.

The aim of this study was to investigate the fluoride release and fluoride recharge behaviors of two conventional glass-ionomer cements (GICs) and two polyacid-modified composite resins (PMCRs) after exposure to mouthwash and toothpaste. Fluoride released from the materials was measured at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days. At 28th day, the specimens were divided into three groups. Specimens in the control group were stored in deionized water. For the other two groups, the specimens were exposed to 0.05% NaF solution and fluoridated toothpaste for one month. After refluoridation, fluoride amount was measured at 30th, 31st, 32nd, 36th, 44th, 52nd, and 60th days. All materials released fluoride. The highest amount of fluoride was obtained during the first 24 hours, and there was a statistically significant difference between the amounts of fluoride released from GICs and PMCRs (p < 0.0001). After exposure to mouthwash and fluoridated toothpaste, all materials were recharged and continued releasing fluoride. While the amount of fluoride release from the materials increased after reflouridation, the increase was higher in GICs.