Effect of Cervitec on mutans streptococci in plaque and on caries formation on occlusal fissures of erupting permanent molars.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Cervitec on the abundance of mutans streptococci (MS) in occlusal dental plaque and on 2-year caries increment of partly erupting first permanent molars. Sixteen healthy schoolchildren aged 6-8 years, with at least 2 sound contralateral partly erupted permanent molars, received diet counselling and daily parental supervised toothbrushing with a fluoride dentifrice. Stimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline and after 1 year to evaluate MS levels. In a split-mouth design, Cervitec varnish was applied to one of the teeth at baseline and after 3 and 6 months, while the other tooth in the same jaw was a control. At the 9-month follow-up the teeth were in occlusal contact. At this time, varnish was not applied. At 3 and 6 months after the first application of varnish a significant suppression of MS was observed in plaque. Caries investigations, performed at baseline and every 3 months during the 2 years after the start of the study, showed that all the teeth treated with the varnish were free of caries after 2 years, whereas 8/16 control teeth developed incipient caries. In conclusion, our results suggest that treatment with Cervitec reduces MS in plaque on erupting permanent molars and can lead to a significant decrease in caries incidence.

Effect of Cervitec© on Mutans Streptococci in Plaque and on Caries Formation on Occlusal Fissures of Erupting Permanent Molars / Efeito do Cervitec em Streptococci Mutans em placa e em formação de cáries em fissuras oclusais de molares permanentes eruptos

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Cervitec© on the abundance of mutans streptococci(MS) in occlusal dental plaque and on 2-year caries increment of partly erupting first permanent molars. Sixteen healthy schoolchildren aged 6-8 years, with at least 2 sound contralateral partly erupted permanent molars, received diet counselling and daily parental supervised toothbrushing with a fluoride dentifrice. Stimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline and after 1 year to evaluate MS levels. In a split-mouth design, Cervitec varnish was applied to one of the teeth at baseline and after 3 and 6 months, while the other tooth in the same jaw was a control. At the 9-month follow-up the teeth were in occlusal contact. At this time, varnish was not applied. At 3 and 6 months after the first application of varnish a significant suppression of MS was observed in plaque. Caries investigations, performed at baseline and every 3 months during the 2 years after the start of the study, showed that all the teeth treated with the varnish were free of caries after 2 years, whereas 816 control teeth developed incipient caries. In conclusion, our results suggest that treatment with Cervitec reduces MS in plaque on erupting permanent molars and can lead to a significant decrease in caries incidence

Anti-Streptococcus mutans antibodies in saliva of children with different degrees of dental caries.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the secretory immune system and dental caries. Forty-nine 3-5-year-old children with primary dentition were classified into three groups according to their caries indices: no caries (group I), one or two surfaces with caries lesions (group II) and rampant caries (group III). Lower numbers of mutans streptococci were found in group I in relation to groups II and III. Secretory IgA and anti-S. mutans IgA, IgM and IgG antibody levels were not significantly different among the groups. Western blotting analysis showed that some S. mutans proteins, including the 39, 59, 97 and 150 kDa molecular mass bands, were recognized by almost all the saliva samples. Antibodies against the 185 kDa band, known as antigen I/II, were present in all adults' saliva and in only one child in group III. The absence of antibodies to the 185 kDa band in children's saliva suggest a specific immunologic immaturity. Further prospective studies will be necessary to establish the possible effect of reactivity to this antigen on the S. mutans colonization in this age group.