Brief Article
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World J Stomatol. Feb 20, 2013; 2(1): 18-23
Published online Feb 20, 2013. doi: 10.5321/wjs.v2.i1.18
Ozone action on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus fermentum: A pilot study
Joana Marques, Anabela Paula, Teresa Gonçalves, Manuel Ferreira, Eunice Carrilho
Joana Marques, Anabela Paula, Teresa Gonçalves, Manuel Ferreira, Eunice Carrilho, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Coimbra, Area of Dentistry, Av Bissaya Barreto, Blocos de Celas, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
Author contributions: Marques J, Paula A, Gonçalves T, Ferreira M and Carrilho E designed the research; Marques J, Paula A, Gonçalves T and Carrilho E performed the research; Marques J, Gonçalves T, Ferreira M and Carrilho E analyzed the data; Marques J, Ferreira M and Carrilho E wrote the paper.
Supported by GAPI, Cabinet Support for Research Projects of Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, process No. 19
Correspondence to: Dr. Joana Marques, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Coimbra, Area of Dentistry, Av Bissaya Barreto, Blocos de Celas, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal. joanaritamarques@live.com.pt
Telephone: +351-927977880 Fax: +351-239402910
Received: September 19, 2012
Revised: December 26, 2012
Accepted: January 11, 2013
Published online: February 20, 2013
Processing time: 166 Days and 15.1 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To study the effectiveness of ozone in the elimination of cariogenic bacteria, followed with fluoride supplements.

METHODS: Sixty extracted teeth free of caries were used, and five groups were constituted. In Group I, the teeth were immersed in artificial saliva. In Group II, the teeth were inoculated with Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and immersed in artificial saliva. In Group III the teeth were inoculated with Lactobaccilus fermentum (L. fermentum) and immersed in artificial saliva. In Group IV the teeth were inoculated with S. mutans and L. fermentum and immersed in artificial saliva and the teeth in Group V were inoculated with S. mutans and L. fermentum, and were subjected to the application of ozone and to the action of a fluoride mineralizing gel. DIAGNOdent was used to evaluate the caries of the teeth 3 wk after inoculation of bacteria and after that the teeth of Group V were subjected to the application of ozone during 60 s, by HealOzone. After the application of ozone, products of the remineralization kit supplied by the manufacturer were applied daily, during 30 d. At the end samples were collected for analysis and evaluation of bacterial activity by polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: Regarding the value of caries, obtained via DIAGNOdent, in the initial measurement the groups are homogeneous (P = 0.730). There was an increase in DIAGNOdent values, presenting statistical significant difference regarding the initial measurement in all groups (P ˂ 0.001), except in group I - only artificial saliva - which shows that the artificial carie model was effective. Comparing the initial and final measurements for each of the 60 teeth, it can be observed that in 9 teeth (15.0%) there was a decrease in values between the two measurements, one (1.7%) retained the same values in the two measurements and in the remaining 50 cases (83.3%) there was increase in values between the initial and final measurements. It should also be noted that in the teeth inoculated with S. mutans + L. fermentum, there was an increase of the values in 100% of cases, and in all groups except the group with artificial saliva, there is a more frequent increase in the values. In group V, subject to the application of ozone, bacterial DNA was not detected, in group IV, bacterial DNA was detected.

CONCLUSION: Ozone was effective in the elimination of the study bacteria.

Keywords: Dental caries; Cariogenic agents; Lactobaccilus fermentum; Streptococcus mutans; Ozone