DEC 2004 JADA

Microbiological Changes Associated With Dental Prophylaxis

Microbiological Changes Associated With Dental Prophylaxis
Authors: J. Max Goodson1; Michael D. Palys2; Elizabeth Carpino3;
Elizabeth O. Regan3; Michael Sweeney3; Sigmund S. Socransky3

Source: JADA The Journal of the American Dental Association, November
2004, vol. 135, no. 11, pp. 1559-1564(6)

Publisher: American Dental Association, Publishing Division

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Abstract:

Background. Despite the common application of dental prophylaxis as
part of patient therapy, there is little reported that describes the
microbiological impact of this treatment.

Methods. The authors gave 20 healthy college-aged subjects three
dental prophylaxes with a fluoride-containing prophylaxis paste during
a two-week period and instructed them in oral hygiene. They evaluated
the microbiological composition of dental plaque samples collected
before and after treatment using DNA probe analysis. They analyzed 40
representative bacterial species in seven bacterial complexes by
checkerboard DNA—DNA hybridization assay techniques.

Results. After three dental prophylaxes, the patients' mean Gingival
Index score decreased from 0.82 to 0.77, the mean Plaque Index score
decreased from 0.72 to zero, and the total number of bacteria per
tooth decreased to approximately one-third of the original number. The
authors computed two different measures of bacterial presence. The
reduction in bacterial numbers was statistically significant and
occurred in many species. Bacterial proportion (DNA percentage or
percentage of the bacteria per tooth) did not change significantly.
Greater reductions in bacterial count occurred in species that showed
high numbers before treatment. The total bacterial count decreased by
approximately 72 percent of its original level before prophylaxis was
initiated.

Conclusions. Professional dental prophylaxis did not target any
particular bacteria or bacterial groups but removed bacteria
nonspecifically and in proportion to their initial numbers.

Clinical Implications. Repeated dental prophylaxes effect a reduction
in bacterial amount that is commensurate with the initial amount, but
they do does not alter composition. This suggests that mild gingivitis
may be a bacterially nonspecific effect of plaque accumulation and
emphasizes the need for regular plaque removal to maintain optimal
gingival health.
Language: Unknown

Document Type: Miscellaneous

Affiliations: 1: Clinical Research, The Forsyth Institute, 140 The
Fenway, Boston, Mass. 02115, “”. Address reprint requests to Dr.
Goodson., Email: mgoodson@forsyth.org 2: Harvard University Health
Services, Dental Service, Cambridge, Mass. 3: The Forsyth Institute,
Boston.