Influence of caries activity and number of saliva donors: mineral and microbiological responses in a microcosm biofilm model

Abstract Objective this study evaluated the mineral and microbiological response of biofilms originating from different types of saliva inoculum with distinct levels of caries activity. Methodology the biofilms grown over enamel specimens originated from saliva collected from a single donor or five donors with two distinct levels of caries activity (caries-active and caries-free) or from pooling saliva from ten donors (five caries-active and five caries-free). The percentage surface hardness change (%SHC) and microbiological counts served as outcome variables. Results the caries activity of donors did not affect the %SHC values. Inoculum from five donors compared to a single donor showed higher %SHC values (p=0.019). Higher lactobacilli counts were observed when saliva from caries-active donors was used as the inoculum (p=0.017). Pooled saliva from both caries activity levels showed higher mutans streptococci counts (p<0.017). Conclusion Overall, pooled saliva increased the mineral response of the derived biofilms, but all the inoculum conditions formed cariogenic biofilms and caries lesions independently of caries activity.

Desenvolvimento de lesões de cárie em dentina em um modelo de biofilme simplificado in vitro: um estudo piloto / Development of dentin caries lesions in an in vitro simplified biofilm model: a pilot study

Introdução: Modelos laboratoriais de biofilmes vêm sendo desenvolvidos com a finalidade de simular o ambiente bucal e o processo de formação da cárie dental. Objetivo: Estabelecer e padronizar um modelo de biofilme in vitro para o desenvolvimento de lesões de cárie em dentina. Material e método: Doze discos padronizados de dentina bovina foram divididos em três tempos experimentais: 4, 7 e 10 dias. As amostras de cada tempo experimental foram inoculadas com Streptococcus mutans UA 159 em meio de cultura BHI com 1% de sacarose e cultivadas em anaerobiose. As variáveis de resposta foram a perda de dureza integrada (ΔS) dos discos de dentina e dureza do substrato em diferentes profundidades. Os dados de ΔS foram analisados através de ANOVA seguido do teste Tukey, ambos com significância de 5%, e os dados de dureza de profundidade de lesão analisados descritivamente. Resultado: Houve maior perda mineral aos 10 dias de crescimento microbiológico quando comparados aos 4 dias (p = 0,034), no entanto não houve diferença entre 7 e 10 dias (p = 0,853). O grupo de 4 dias mostrou perda de dureza em regiões mais superficiais (10-40µm); e o grupo de 10 dias mostrou desmineralização em áreas mais profundas, até 150 µm. Conclusão: O modelo proposto mostrou-se capaz de desenvolver lesões de cárie artificiais em dentina. Em 7 dias, as lesões subsuperficiais de dentina foram adequadas para estudos de des-remineralização.

Introduction: Oral laboratory biofilm models have been developed to reproduce the oral environment and the process of caries lesion formation in vitro. Objective: To establish and standardize an in vitro biofilm model for the development of caries lesions in dentin. Material and method: Twelve standardized bovine dentin discs were assigned into three experimental times: 4, 7, and 10 days. Samples of each experimental period were inoculated with Streptococcus mutans UA 159 in a BHI culture medium with 1% sucrose, and cultured under anaerobic conditions. The integrated hardness loss (ΔS) of dentin discs and the hardness of the substrate at different depths were considered as response variables. The ΔS data were analysed by ANOVA followed by Tukey's test, both with significance level of 5%, and the data of hardness at different depths were analysed descriptively. Result: There was a higher hardness loss after 10 days of microbial growth when compared to 4 days (p = 0.034), however, there was no difference between 7 and 10 days (p = 0.853). The 4-day group showed loss of hardness of the surface layers (10-40μm) and the 10-day group showed demineralization in the deeper area around 150µm. Conclusion: The proposed model was able to develop artificial caries lesions in dentin. In 7 days, the dentin sub superficial lesions were suitable to des-remineralisation studies.

The role of human milk and sucrose on cariogenicity of microcosm biofilms

Abstract This study investigated the effect of human milk, alone and associated with sucrose, in the cariogenicity of biofilms in a microcosm biofilm model and compared with the cariogenicity of sucrose and bovine milk. Microcosm biofilms were grown in enamel discs in 24-well plates. Six growth conditions were studied: DMM (chemically defined artificial saliva - negative control), DMM with 1% of sucrose (DMM+s) (positive control), human milk with DMM, human milk with DMM+s, bovine milk with DMM, and bovine milk with DMM+s. After 5 days, the outcome variables surface hardness change (%SHC), microbiological composition of biofilms, and pH of supernatant were analyzed. All groups had significantly lower hardness loss compared to the DMM group with 1% of sucrose. Human and bovine milk associated with sucrose showed higher hardness loss. The supernatant pH values after 6 hours of different treatments were similar for the groups sucrose and human milk associated with sucrose (p>0.05). After 18 hours at rest in pure DMM, an increase in the pH of the supernatant was observed. Higher values of total microorganisms count were found for sucrose and bovine milk groups compared to the group supplemented only by DMM. Bovine milk group showed greater amount of total aciduric microorganisms in comparison to human milk group. Within the limits of this study, it can be infered that both human and cow milks have some cariogenic potential, although differing from sucrose in terms of mineral loss.

Reabilitação restauradora em dentes anteriores que sofreram trauma: relato de caso / Restorative rehabilitation in traumatized anterior tooth: case report

Os dentes anterossuperiores são os mais comumente acometidos em casos de fraturas coronárias. Além dos traumatismos dentários acidentais, vários fatores predispõem tais fraturas, como a presença de sobremordida, dentes fragilizados por amplas restaurações, lesões de cárie extensa, além de dentes tratados endodonticamente. Em fraturas sem comprometimento pulpar, sempre que possível, realiza-se a colagem do fragmento, porém, quando ele não estiver presente, a segunda opção é a restauração com resinas compostas de uso direto, que permitem resultados estéticos satisfatórios. O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever um caso clínico de fratura coronária, no qual se optou pela restauração com resina composta do remanescente fraturado.

The anterior teeth are most commonly affected in cases of coronal fractures. In addition to the accident itself, several factors can contribute to this type of fracture such as: the presence of overbite, large restorations, large carious lesions and endodontic treatment. In fractures without pulpal compromising, tooth fragment reattachment is preferable whenever is possible. However, when the fragment is not available, the second option is direct restorations using composite resins, allowing satisfactory esthetic results. The aim of this work is to describe a clinical case of coronal fracture, where was chosen a restoration using composite resin.