The effect of chlorhexidine on plaque index and mutans streptococci in orthodontic patients:A pilot study

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess chlorhexidine effects on plaque index and salivary levels of mutans streptococci (MS) when used as the immersion solution for removable orthodontic appliances and added to their acrylic resin composition. Methods: Forty-five patients (6 to 12 years old) were randomly assigned into three groups with 15 patients each. Group I (control)—without orthodontic appliances disinfection;Group II—removable orthodontic appliances which had been immersed in 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate overnight (8 hours), and Group III—orthodontic appliances in which 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate solution had been incorporated into their resin composition. Saliva was collected for quantification of MS and evaluation of plaque index was performed before and after installation of orthodontic appliance at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks. Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance. Results: Number of MS colonies in saliva and plaque index showed no statistically differences among groups at the different periods (p > 0.05). Conclusions: It could be concluded that chlorhexidine incorporation into the acrylic resin of removable orthodontic appliances at 0.12% concentration and immersion of the appliance into 0.12% chlorhexidine solution were not effective in reducing plaque index and the number of MS in saliva.

Salivary IgA enhancement strategy for development of a nasal-spray anti-caries mucosal vaccine

Dental caries remains one of the most common global chronic diseases caused by Streptococcus mutans,which is prevalent all over the world.The caries prevalence of children aged between 5-6 years old in China is still in very high rate.A potent and effective anti-caries vaccine has long been expected for caries prevention but no vaccines have been brought to market till now mainly due to the low ability to induce and maintain protective antibody in oral fluids.This review will give a brief historical retrospect on study of dental caries and pathogenesis,effective targets for anti-caries vaccines,oral immune system and immunization against dental caries.Then,salivary IgA antibodies and the protective responses are discussed in the context of the ontogeny of mucosal immunity to indigenous oral streptococcal.The methods and advancement for induction of specific anticaries salivary sIgA antibodies and enhancement of specific anti-caries salivary sIgA antibodies by intranasal immunization with a safe effective mucosal adjuvant are described.The progress in the enhancement of salivary sIgA antibodies and anticaries protection by intranasal immunization with flagellin-PAc fusion protein will be highlighted.Finally,some of the main strategies that have been used for successful mucosal vaccination of caries vaccine are reviewed,followed by discussion of the mucosal adjuvant choice for achieving protective immunity at oral mucosal membranes for development of a nasal-spray or nasal-drop anti-caries vaccine for human.