Effect of chlorhexidine mouth rinse on Streptococci counts of tooth-tissue-borne palatal expander biofilm

• Published in: Orthodontics & craniofacial research 2008-08, Vol.11 (3), p.136-142
• Main Authors: Maruo, IT, Rosa, EAR, Maruo, H, Tanaka, O, Guariza Filho, O, Ignácio, SA, Camargo, ES
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Anti-Infective Agents, Local - pharmacology; Biofilms - drug effects; Child; chlorhexidine; Chlorhexidine - analogs & derivatives; Chlorhexidine - pharmacology; Colony Count, Microbial; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentistry; Female; Humans; Male; microbiology; Mouthwashes - pharmacology; Orthodontic Appliances - microbiology; orthodontics; palatal expander; Palatal Expansion Technique - instrumentation; Rosa; Streptococcus - drug effects
• ISSN: 1601-6335; 1601-6343
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-6343.2007.00418.x

Structured Authors –  Maruo IT, Rosa EAR, Maruo H, Tanaka O, Guariza Filho O, Ignácio SA, Camargo ES Objectives –  To assess total Streptococci (TS) counts and biofilm mass over tooth‐tissue‐borne palatal expander (TTBPE), as well as the effect of chlorhexidine (CHX) mouth rinse on these variables. Design –  A cross‐sectional study design employed clinical procedures and laboratorial techniques. Setting and Sample Population –  Patients who had TTBPE removal indicated were divided into two groups: a CHX group (n = 26) in which three times a day of 0.2% CHX digluconate mouth rinses were prescribed 7 days before TTBPE removal; and a control (CON) group (n = 25) in which no antimicrobial treatment was applied. Experimental Variable –  ‘Gender’, ‘Age’, and ‘TTBPE wear time’ were recorded. After TTBPE removal, biofilm mass was determined by the difference between (TTBPE + biofilm) and (TTBPE only) masses. TS counts were determined by biofilm suspension followed by progressive dilutions and culture on Mitis Salivarius agar with incubation at 37°C for 72 h. Outcome Measure –  Biofilm mass (mg) and Colony Forming Units of TS / mg of biofilm (CFU‐TS / mg) were calculated. Results –  Total Streptococci mean values in CHX (6.77 × 106CFU‐TS / mg) were statistically lower (p  0.05) between CHX (168.88 mg) and CON (182.04 mg) masses nor statistical correlation (p > 0.05) between biofilm mass and CFU‐TS / mg in the two groups. Conclusion –  Chlorhexidine reduces the TS counts in TTBPE, but has no effect on biofilm mass.