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Notes: Adhesive tape applied to the fitting surface was used to study the early colonization of acrylic palates in six subjects. Streptococci were major constituents of the plaque accumulated on the tape over the first 3 days.Bacterial colonization of the tape discs was selective in that dextran-producing streptococci constituted a greater proportion of the total streptococcal count after 15 min compared with that of the initial sample and saliva, while the converse was true for Streptococcus salivarius. Scanning electron microscopy showed that denture plaque development started in grooves and depressions on the surface of the tape, and became more extensive with time. Comparison of the colonization of tape and acrylic discs in one individual demonstrated that the tape was a suitable model for in vivo colonization of dentures or orthodontic appliances.

Notes: Background and aim: Several studies have reported adjunctive benefits to scaling and root planing (SRP) of systemic amoxycillin and metronidazole in the treatment of periodontal diseases. To date no comparisons have been made of these antimicrobials alone or in combination. The aim of this study was to compare the adjunctive benefits to SRP of amoxycillin and metronidazole alone and combined.Methods: 66 subjects 〈46 years of age with advanced chronic periodontal disease participated in this randomised, double blind, 4 parallel treatment group designed study. All subjects received quadrant SRP and then were prescribed amoxycillin capsules (250 mg) and metronidazole tablets (200 mg) (AM) or lactate capsules and metronidazole (PM) or amoxycillin and calcium lactate tablets (AP) or lactate and calcium lactate (PP). All medication was 3 of each per day for 7 days. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained and probing depth (PD), loss of attachment (LOA), bleeding on probing (BOP), suppuration (SUPP) and plaque (DEP) were recorded pre-treatment, 1, 3 and 6 months post-treatment.Results: Final group sizes were: AM=15, PM=16, AP=16 and PP=15. PD improved in all groups. Treatment effects were highly significantly different and always greatest in the AM and least in the PP groups. Benefits of PM and AP over PP were also noted. LOA improved in all groups and showed the same highly significant treatment differences, again favouring AM. BOP improved in all groups, particularly in AM compared to the other groups. SUPP improved in all groups and was virtually eradicated in AM with differences among treatments highly significant. DEP changed little in any group and there were no significant differences among groups. Microbiological data showed significant differences in favour of AM compared to PP and PM for total aerobes and anaerobes at 1 month. P. intermedia counts were always lower in active groups compared to PP and reached significance for AM and AP at 1 month and AM and PM at 3 months.Conclusion: The significant differences among treatment groups and the overall trend in the data, in line with other studies, support the considerable adjunctive benefits to SRP of amoxycillin and metronidazole combined in the treatment of advanced chronic periodontal disease.

Notes: Abstract This study investigated the effects of root planing and/or the placement of acrylic strips containing chlorhexidine, metronidazole or tetracycline on the composition and antimicrobial susceptibility of the subgingival flora in chronic periodontitis. 101 periodontal pockets from 73 patients were entered into 6 treatment groups which were, chlorhexidine, metronidazole or tetracycline strips, root planing, root planing followed by metronidazole strips and a control, no treatment group. Total anaerobic counts and anaerobe/aerobe ratios were estimated from samples taken before treatment and 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment, In addition, a more detailed analysis of the effects of the treatments on the subgingival flora was carried out on 12 pockets in 12 patients. Tetracycline strips, metronidazole strips and root planing and metronidazole strips were more effective than chlorhexidine strips in causing reductions in total anaerobic count and anaerobe/aerobe ratio. However, the changes in microbial parameters rebounded to approach baseline levels 4 weeks after treatment. Chlorhexidine caused no detectable changes in the composition of the subgingival microflora, white metronidazole had a variable effect. Tetracycline appeared to effect major shifts in the composition of the microflora of treated pockets but caused a marked selection of tetracycline-resistant organisms.

Notes: Abstract. The anti-adherent agent M239,144 has been shown to reduce the adhesion of S. sanguis strains to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite by 27-94%. The purpose of this study was to determine any antibacterial properties of M239,144 which might inhibit replication of the organisms which do adhere and to determine whether M239,144 interferes with the antibacterial properties of the antiseptic agent chlorhexidine. Maximum inhibitory dilutions (MIDs) were calculated using both broth and agar methods. 0.1% M239,144 displayed no antibacterial activity against S. oralis NCTC 7864 or S. sanguis NCTC 7863 using the broth dilution method and had no antibacterial activity against a range of plaque-forming organisms using the agar dilution method. The anti-bacterial activity of chlorhexidine against four of five oral plaque-forming species was reduced by 0.1% M239,144. The effect of a novel anti-adherent agent, M239,144, on chlorhexidine staining was assessed in an in vitro model. 1% 〈 M239,144 completely prevented chlorhexidine staining at concentrations from 0.0002%) to 0.2%). M239,144/chlorhexidine formulations show potential for a non-staining anti-plaque mouthwash.

Notes: Abstract The effects of 1% chlorhexidine and 1% chlorhexidine/fluoride dentifrices on supragingival plaque flora were investigated in a 6-month home-usage study. 146 subjects were studied from whom plaque around 6 teeth was collected at baseline, 6 weeks and 24 weeks. Total anaerobic counts were reduced at 6 and 24 weeks in both active groups compared to control. No differences were seen in any other bacterial parameters. There was a significant decrease in the susceptibility to chlorhexidine of bacteria recovered from the subjects on the active treatments compared to control but, since the magnitude of effect was less than one dilution, this was not thought to be of any clinical significance.

Notes: Abstract. Delmopinol has been considered as a potential agent for the chemical control of plaque. The aims of these studies were to measure the effects of a 0.2% delmopinol hydrochloride mouthrinse on (1) plaque reformation and (2) salivary bacterial counts. Comparisons were made with a 0.2% chlorhexidine rinse and a placebo rinse. A group of 12 male volunteers took part in the plaque study which was of a double blind, randomised, 3 cell, cross-over design. From a zero plaque baseline subjects rinsed, 2 × a day, under supervision, for 1 min with 10-ml volumes of the allocated rinse. After 4 days, during which no other form of oral hygiene was performed, plaque was scored by area and index. Plaque results were significantly lower with chlorhexidine and delmopinol compared with control, and with chlorhexidine compared to delmopinol. Side-effects with delmopinol were transient tingling and numbness of the tongue in some subjects. A 2nd group of 12 male volunteers received single, 1-min rinses of the 3 formulations. Salivary bacterial counts were determined immediately before and up to 420 min after rinsing. Compared to the control rinse, chlorhexidine significantly reduced bacterial counts of 420 min. Delmopinol produced a small reduction in bacterial counts which was only significantly different from control at one time point. Delmopinol deserves further evaluation as a chemical plaque inhibitor, particularly when used as an adjunct to normal toothcleaning.

Notes: Objective:  The uncertain taxonomy of oral anaerobic gram-positive bacilli and their generally slow growing nature has limited the understanding of their role in periodontal disease. The current objective was to design and use species-specific oligonucleotide probes to investigate the relationship of selected gram-positive anaerobic bacilli to periodontal disease.Methods:  Plaque and clinical measurements were collected from 40 patients with periodontitis and from 40 matched controls. Oligonucleotide probes were designed for Bulleidia extructa, Eubacterium nodatum, Mogibacterium timidum and Slackia exigua and used to probe nucleic acids extracted from the samples with a chemiluminescent detection method. Species were quantified as absent or present at low (approximately 103−104 cells), medium (approximately 104−105 cells) or high levels (approximately 105−106 cells).Results:  M. timidum and B. extructa were detected in only three and four samples, respectively. The level of both E. nodatum and S. exigua was significantly higher in deep than shallow pockets (Wilcoxon, p 〈 0.001). The level of E. nodatum, but not S. exigua, was higher in patients than matched controls (Mann–Whitney U, p 〈 0.03). Using an ordered logistic regression model, the probing depth of the sampled sites had the greatest influence on the level of both species and significant variations occurred between individuals. Bleeding also influenced the levels of both species, with supragingival plaque influencing S. exigua.Conclusion:  Both E. nodatum and S. exigua were associated with clinical indicators of periodontal disease.