IADR Abstract Archives

Reduction of Oral Mutans Streptococci by Small-Crystal Hydroxyapatite

Objectives: Small crystal hydroxyapatite (scfHA) paste has been shown to adsorb and remove mutans streptococci (MS) from the oral cavity in a Dental Drug Delivery System (3DS). To assess the effect of scfHA both clinically and experimentally, we conducted (1) a 3DS trial in human subjects and (2) a test comparing the attachment of Streptococcus mutans to smooth and rough enamel surfaces. Methods: 3DS using an scfHA paste containing 25% HA, an scfHA paste containing 38% HA, and a placebo paste containing 38% dicalcium phosphate dihydrate was applied to groups of 5, 15 and 10 subjects respectively for 5 minutes daily for 1 week. Oral bacteria numbers were determined quantitatively by culture of whole saliva samples collected a week before, then every week for five weeks after 3DS treatment. Two sets of tooth enamel blocks were cut to a size of 4x5x3 mm, and the surface of one set smoothed with fine abrasive paper and that of the other set roughened with coarse abrasive paper. The blocks were incubated in whole saliva, then immersed in 1.0ml of 3H-labeled S. mutans suspension (OD=0.3, 550nm), at 37 degrees-centigrade for 24h, and adherence of S. mutans to the blocks was measured using a scintillation counter and SEM. Results: Saliva testing 5 weeks after 3DS treatment showed a sharp decrease in MS in subjects using scfHA paste (HA 38%), in comparison with placebo controls. Attachment of S. mutans was greater on the rough enamel surface than on the smooth surface. Conclusions: Our 3DS trial supported earlier evidence that scfHA paste is effective in removing MS from the oral cavity. The bacterial adhesion test suggested that scfHA paste might influence MS adhesion, if it is able to physically or chemically fill surface enamel cracks, restoring enamel from rough to smooth.
IADR/AADR/CADR General Session
2004 IADR/AADR/CADR General Session (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Honolulu, Hawaii
2004
2036
Cariology Research
  • Arakawa, Tadayoshi  ( Sangi Co., Ltd, Tokyo, N/A, Japan )
  • Ishizaki, Tsutomu  ( Sangi Co., Ltd, Tokyo, N/A, Japan )
  • Hayman, Roslyn  ( Sangi Co., Ltd, Tokyo, N/A, Japan )
  • Hanada, Nobuhiro  ( National Institute of Public Health, Tokyo, , Japan )
  • Senpuku, Hidenobu  ( National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, N/A, Japan )
  • Poster Session
    Cariogenic Bacteria, Antibacterials
    03/12/2004