Effect of selected beta-blockers on supragingival calculus formation.

Supragingival plaque and calculus indices, salivary flow rates, pH, ionic and total calcium concentrations, total phosphate concentration, and the number of cervical restorations and caries lesions were measured in 29 subjects using systemic beta-(beta) blockers and in 28 subjects who were not taking any systemic medication. After 8 weeks of normal oral hygiene following an oral prophylaxis, a second comparison of each of the above quantities was made. With the exception of the calculus indices and the incidence of cervical restorations, no significant differences were found for any of the measured quantities between the medicated and non-medicated groups at either examination. The medicated group showed significantly lower mean calculus values than the non-medicated group at both examinations and a higher incidence of cervical restorations at the baseline examination, suggesting that beta-blockers decrease the rate of mineralization in the oral cavity. Since beta-blockers did not appear to alter stimulated salivary pH, flow rate, phosphate, ionic calcium or total calcium concentrations, their effect on the mineralization processes must be attributed to other mechanisms. Two hypotheses appear plausible: changes in salivary mineralization rates caused by either direct physico-chemical effects of the secreted beta-blockers in the saliva, or by alterations in the salivary protein/glycoprotein composition, enzymes and oral bacterial flora owing to systemic pharmacological effects of beta-blockers.

The effect of supragingival plaque removal on anaerobic bacteria deep periodontal pockets.

A study was made to determine if the numbers of subgingival anaerobes in deep periodontal pockets can be controlled by removal of only supragingival plaque. The study was based on the premises that the subgingival flora is dependent on the supragingival plaque for its source of organisms as well as for its perpetuation. Daily professional removal of only supragingival plaque produced a statistically significant reduction per sample in subgingival facultative and obligatory anaerobes.

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of 8-hydroxyquinoline analogs as inhibitors of dental plaque.

A group of 5-substituted 8-hydroxyquinolines with predicted log P values in the 1-4 range has been prepared from either 8-hydroxyquinoline or its appropriate derivative. 5-Formyl-, 5-iodo-, 5-fluoro-, 5-acetyl-, and 5-methoxymethyl-8-hydroxyquinoline in addition to methyl-5(8-hydroxyquinolyl)acetate and ethyl 5-(8-hydroxyquinolyl)acetate displayed greater in vitro antiplaque activity than 8-hydroxyquinoline.

A physiochemical approach to the study of amines as antiplaque agents.

Alkyl and aromatic amines were evaluated for inhibitory activity against S mutans 6715. Only the alkylamines were active and this may be due to their greater basicity. The agents that showed good activity were decylamine, dodecylamine, tetradecylamine, and hexadecylamine. In addition to the free bases, the hydrochloride and hydrofluoride salts were also tested for inhibitory activity and the same four agents were shown to be most active. These agents appear to hold good promise as antiplaque agents against S mutans 6715, therefore, further in vitro studies against other plaque-forming bacteria and toxicological and clinical evaluation seems to be warranted to determine the best clinical agent.

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of 8-hydroxyquinolines as dental plaque inhibitors.

Some 4- and 5-substituted 8-hydroxyquinolines, with predicted log P values in the range of 1.48-2.90, were synthesized by modified Skraup reactions or thermal cyclization. These hydroxyquinolines include the 5-methyl, 4,5-dimethyl, 4-methyl, 5-hydroxy-4-methyl, 5-methoxy, 5-methoxy-4-methyl, 4-hydroxy, 4-chloro, 4-amino, and 5-amino analogs. Partition coefficients, antibacterial activity, and antiplaque activity were determined. Four analogs showed in vitro antiplaque activity. None of the derivatives with ionizable functions was active.