Objective: The aim of this article is to review the published literature with the purpose of knowing the importance of using various probiotic Streptococcus strains as a preventive and therapeutic method for dental caries management. Materials and Methods: Research question was formulated based on the PICO strategy. A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted across PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and EBSCOhost databases independently by two reviewers. All papers published from 1989 to December 2017 that focused on the use of probiotic Streptococcus strains for caries prevention were included in this review. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the selected articles, and a customized data extraction sheet was formulated. The selected articles were subjected to quality assessment, and the risk of bias in selected studies was evaluated. Results: A total of five articles were included. The overall risk of bias of the selected clinical trials was found to be high risk, and the overall level of evidence of the selected in vitro studies was moderate. Conclusion: The two included clinical studies on the use of probiotic Streptococcus strains for caries prevention had high risk of bias. Although in-vitro studies showed promising results, clinical studies have not demonstrated clear clinical outcomes. Thus, there is a vast scope for future research in this field. Clinical Relevance: Application of oral probiotics will help reinstate a balanced microbiota and thereby improving oral health. This systematic review focused on evaluating the role played by probiotic Streptococcus strains in the carious lesion incidence.

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Context:Silver nanoparticle (AgNP) is a potent antimicrobial that is widely used in several fields of medicine. Chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate is a well-known agent used in dentistry to eliminate oral microbial flora.Aims:The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of AgNPs, 2% CHX gluconate, and the combination of two solutions against endodontic pathogens such as Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. These organisms are frequently found in the root canal space and their persistence may lead to endodontic failure. The synergistic effect of the two solutions has been evaluated in this study. The antibiotic gentamycin was taken as the control group.Settings and Design:Agar well diffusion method was used and minimum inhibitory concentration of AgNP was found to be 15 μg/mL. AgNPs were synthesized from the aqueous plant extract of Cassia roxburghii. The combination of CHX-AgNP solution was stirred together by a glass rod. The values were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using the SPSS software version 20. One-way ANOVA test was used to compare within the groups and between groups. The level of significance was set at 5%.Results:CHX-AgNP combined solution exhibited the highest efficacy in comparison to these solutions used alone. They showed the highest efficacy against C. albicans among the three organisms tested.Conclusion:The present study demonstrates the antimicrobial efficacy of a novel mixture of CHX-AgNP solution, and it may be developed as a promising antimicrobial agent against endodontic flora.

Introduction:To promote the remineralization by ionic exchange mechanism instead of invasive techniques many remineralizing agents can be used.Objective:To evaluate the remineralization effects of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) on white spot lesions (WSLs) and its inhibitory effect on Streptococcus mutans colonization.Materials and Methods:The study group consisted of 60 subjects exhibiting at least 1-WSL. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: A test group using CPP-ACP cream (GC-Tooth Mousse, Leuven, Belgium) and a control group using only fluoride containing toothpaste for a period of 3-month. Baseline WSLs were scored using DIAGNOdent device (KaVo Germany) and the saliva samples were collected to measure S. mutans counts. After the 3-month period the WSLs were again recorded and the saliva collection was repeated.Result:DIAGNOdent measurements were increased by time (P = 0.002) in the control group and no statistically significant difference (P = 0.217) was found in the test group by the 3-month period. In both groups, the mutans counts were decreased in the 3-month experimental period.Conclusion:These clinical and laboratory results suggested that CPP-ACP containing cream had a slight remineralization effect on the WSL in the 3-month evaluation period however, longer observation is recommended to confirm whether the greater change in WSLs is maintained.

Aims/Objectives:This in vitro study was designed to measure and compare the temperature rise in the pulp chamber with different light curing units.Materials and Methods:The study was done in two settings-in-vitro and in-vivo simulation. In in-vitro setting, 3mm and 6mm acrylic spacers with 4mm tip diameter thermocouple was used and six groups were formed according to the light curing source- 3 Quartz-Tungsten-Halogen (QTH) units and 3 Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) units. For the LED units, three modes of curing like pulse-cure mode, fast mode and ramp mode were used. For in-vivo simulation, 12 caries free human third molar tooth with fused root were used. K-type thermocouple with 1 mm tip diameter was used. Occlusal cavity was prepared, etched, rinsed with water and blot dried; bonding agent was applied and incremental curing of composite was done. Thermal emission for each light curing agent was noted.Results:Temperature rise was very minimal in LED light cure units than in QTH light cure units in both the settings. Temperature rise was minimal at 6mm distance when compared to 3 mm distance. Among the various modes, fast mode produces the less temperature rise. Temperature rise in all the light curing units was well within the normal range of pulpal physiology.Conclusion:Temperature rise caused due to light curing units does not result in irreversible pulpal damage.