Phenotypic characterization of Streptococcus species involved in dental caries and evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of two glass ionomer cements in Oran

Abstract

Introduction-Objective-Glass ionomer cements (CVI) are complex polyacrylates or polyalkenoates of glasses composed of basic glasses and an acidic polymer. Considerable changes have been made in the formulations and handling properties of CVIs for different clinical applications, resulting in the invention of several types of CVI. The oral microflora is very heterogeneous in quality and quantity. Some germs are helpful and protect the oral cavity, but there are others that are pathogenic. The aim of this study was to isolate and to identify the bacteria involved in dental caries and compared the effect of two types of glass ionomer cements on the growth of these germs. Material and methods - Microbiological, physiological and biochemical methods were used for the isolation and identification of bacteria isolated from patients suffering from dental caries. These bacteria were used to assess the effect of glass ionomer cement. CVI activity was performed by the semi-solid medium diffusion method. Results -The results obtained have shown that the bacteria involved in dental caries belonged to the species of Streptococcus mutans (28.6%). The species of St. suis (28.6%), St. porcinus (14.3%) with St. bovis (14.3%) and Aerococcus viridans (14.2%) were also present, causing hemolytic activity. The antibiotic sensitivity test reveals that the species of St. mutans are the most sensitive. The two types of CVI (CVIc, CVIMAR) studied produced a bactericidal effect on St. mutans. There is no significant difference in the antibacterial effect between CVIc and CVIMAR on St. mutans. Conclusion - The use of CVI or CVIMAR as dental restorative materials, to prevent or at least limit the spread of residual and recurrent caries, deserves to be considered by practitioners. They should be widely recommended in daily practice, particularly in patients with high caries risk.

Keywords

• Glass ionomercements
• antibacterial action
• recurrent caries
• antibiogram
• Streptococcus mutans