The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of demineralization of artificially induced caries-affected human dentin by an in vitro microbiological method. The occlusal surfaces of 6 human molar teeth were abraded until a flat surface was obtained, and the enamel was removed to expose the occlusal dentin surface. These teeth were sectioned in 12 halves in the vestibular-lingual direction and divided into 3 groups according to the period length of the microbiological essay (n = 4): G1, 7 days; G2, 14 days; and G3, 21 days. The surfaces of all specimens were protected by an acid-resistant nail varnish, except for a window where the caries lesion was induced by a Streptoccocus mutans biofilm in a batch-culture model supplemented with 5% sucrose. The specimens were then analyzed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a super-luminescent light diode (Λ = 930 nm) with 6.0-µm lateral and longitudinal resolution (in the air). Qualitative and quantitative results (images and average dentin demineralization, respectively) were obtained. The mean demineralization depths were (µm) 235 ± 31.4, 279 ± 14, and 271 ± 8.3 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In addition, no significant change was observed in the lesion mean depth from 7 days of cariogenic challenge on. In conclusion, OCT was shown to be an efficient and non-invasive method to detect the depths of lesions caused by demineralization. Further, a seven-day demineralization time was considered sufficient for caries-affected dentin to be obtained.

OBJETIVO: avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana da associação de um adesivo ortodôntico com um verniz de clorexidina e timol. MÉTODOS: foram utilizados 32 pré-molares humanos divididos em 4 grupos. O grupo 1 consistiu do grupo controle, no qual o adesivo utilizado para a colagem do braquete não estava associado a nenhum agente antimicrobiano. Os grupos 2, 3 e 4 foram colados com um sistema adesivo associado a um verniz de clorexidina e timol. Os grupos 3 e 4 foram armazenados em água por 7 dias e 30 dias, respectivamente, enquanto os corpos de prova do grupo 2 foram, logo depois da colagem, colocados em ágar semeado com Streptococcus mutans por 48h a 37ºC. RESULTADOS: os grupos experimentais, com exceção do grupo controle, apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana com tendência de redução do seu potencial de ação com maior tempo de imersão em água. CONCLUSÃO: a associação do verniz de clorexidina a um sistema adesivo utilizado em Ortodontia apresenta-se vantajosa pela sua atividade antimicrobiana.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the antimicrobial activity resulting from the association of an orthodontic adhesive with chlorhexidine-thymol varnish. METHODS: Thirty-two extracted human premolars were used, divided into four groups. In Group 1, the control group, the adhesive used to bond the bracket was not associated with any antimicrobial agent. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were bonded with an adhesive system associated with chlorhexidine-thymol varnish. Groups 3 and 4 were stored in water for 7 days and 30 days, respectively, while the specimens from group 2 were, soon after bonding, placed on agar seeded with Streptococcus mutans for 48 hours, at 37º C. RESULTS: The experimental groups, with the exception of the control group, showed antimicrobial activity whose action tended to decline commensurately with the amount of time that they remained immersed in water. CONCLUSIONS: The association of chlorhexidine-thymol varnish with an adhesive system used in orthodontics proved to be advantageous due to its antimicrobial activity.

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans está implicado como o agente etiológico da periodontite juvenil localizada. Este organismo possui inúmeros fatores de virulência que podem interferir no reparo tissular. 50 isolados de A. actinomycetemcomitans de pacientes com periodontite foram examinados para avaliar outros possíveis fatores de virulência. Neste estudo, foi avaliada a produção de cápsula, DNase, coagulase, fibrinolisina, atividade proteolítica, hemolisina e bacteriocina, assim como hemaglutinação, sensibilidade ao soro, aderência às células epiteliais, hidrofobicidade e virulência de A. actinomycetemcomitans. Todos os isolados foram resistentes para todos os tipos de soro utilizados. 70% a 94% dos isolados foram alfa-hemolíticos e aglutinaram todos os tipos sanguíneos. A maioria dos isolados produziu substâncias antagonistas e apresentaram baixa hidrofobicidade. Nenhum dos isolados foi patogênico para camundongos. Pouco se sabe, sobre a ação e como esses fatores podem agir no desenvolvimento da doença periodontal, sendo necessários estudos adicionais para uma aplicação em termos de sistemática e de patogênese.

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is implicated as the causative agent of localized juvenile periodontitis. This organism possesses a large number of virulence factors with a wide range of activities and also interfere with tissue repair. Fifty isolates of A. actinomycetemcomitans from 20 periodontal patients were examined to evaluate other putative virulence factors. In this study, the capsule, DNase, coagulase, fibrinolysin, proteolytic, haemolysin and bacteriocin production, haemagglutination, serum sensitivity, epithelial cells attachment, hydrophobicity and virulence of the A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates were evaluated. All the isolates were resistant to the different tested sera. 70% to 94% were alpha-haemolytics and agglutinated all blood types. Most of isolates produced antagonistic substances and they had a low hydrophobicity. None of the isolates was pathogenic for mice. Little is known as to wether these factors may act in the development of periodontal disease, and further studies are required for an application in pathogenic and systematic terms.