A traditional way to combat against Streptococcus mutans

Mythri P,Prabhakar A R,Rekhamani Maganti,Saraswathi V Naik

doi:10.47552/ijam.v7i1.749

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial activity of conventional Glass ionomer cement, Glass ionomer cement (GIC) with 0.1% (w/w) epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and Glass ionomer cement with 1% (w/w) Curcuma longa against streptococcus mutans.Methods: Children of age group 5-9 years, irrespective of sex, race and socioeconomic status with at least 3 cavitated dentinal lesions in primary molars clinically involving occlusal surface suitable for ART were selected.The dentinal samples were collected three times from each carious tooth, viz. baseline (before excavation of caries), after hand excavation of caries and after 7 days of restoration. The dentinal samples were subjected to microbiological evaluation for Streptococcus mutans count.Results: Experimental groups (Group II and group III) showed statistically significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans counts compared to control group (Conventional Glass ionomer cement). Group II i.e. (Glass ionomer cement with 0.1% (w/w) EGCG) showed significant reduction than Group III i.e. (Glass ionomer cement with 1% (w/w) Curcuma longa).Conclusion: ART technique was successful in reducing the streptococcus mutans load in a carious cavity but significant numbers of residual microbes were still found to be present even after the carious tissue was removed. Restoration of the cavity using EGCG and turmeric modified GIC was able to markedly reduce the S.mutans counts compared to conventional GIC.Â

Highlights

In the recent years pediatric dentistry has witnessed a tremendous rise in the acceptance and popularity of minimal intervention approaches for management of dental caries most notably the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) (1)
ART technique was successful in reducing the streptococcus mutans load in a carious cavity but significant numbers of residual microbes were still found to be present even after the carious tissue was removed
Glass ionomer cement (GIC) are capable of releasing fluoride, which contributes to some reduction in the number of residual bacteria in cavities as well as remineralization of softened dentin

Summary

Introduction

In the recent years pediatric dentistry has witnessed a tremendous rise in the acceptance and popularity of minimal intervention approaches for management of dental caries most notably the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) (1). Manual removal of soft demineralized enamel and dentin using hand instruments and restoring them with an adhesive fluoride releasing material, usually glass ionomer cement is the essence of this approach (2). Whereas even a simple restorative treatment plan can evoke anxiety, ART by virtue of its least intra-operative discomfort (3) qualifies as a suitable option in such anxious patients. Of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, By virtue of fluoride release, GIC is assumed to reduce the number of residual bacteria in cavities and remineralize softened dentin. The amount of fluoride release is too small for the remineralization process, and even the anti-bacterial effect is limited only to the region immediately below the restoration. Amongst the various methods that have been used to reduce or eliminate microorganisms underneath GIC restorations, one which is in vogue currently is addition of antibacterial agents to GIC (5)

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion