The Effect of Plaque Thickness on Progression of Artificial Caries Lesion Formation in situ

Abstract

Eighty thin enamel sections with artificially-formed caries lesions were implanted in the buccal surfaces of molars (in the removable partial dentures of ten subjects) and covered with a steel mesh for plaque accumulation to occur. The mesh was placed in contact with the enamel surface in half the lesions and 0.5 mm above the lesions in the other half, thus facilitating formation of thin and thick plaque samples. Following two-week use of a non-fluoride dentifrice, the lesions were analyzed for mineral change by quantitative microradiography. Significant mineral was lost from lesions in both groups, but the loss was twice as large in the thick-plaque group. These findings are important to in vivo remineralization models, since they show that plaque thickness should be controlled for minimization of variation.

Biochemical Composition and Cariogenicity of Dental Plaque Formed in the Presence of Sucrose or Glucose and Fructose

“…As a result of the increased amount of plaque per area, biofilm formed in the presence of sucrose is thicker than the one formed in the presence of glucose + fructose, which could solely explain a greater caries development, as pointed out in previous studies [Mellberg et al, 1990]. However, extracellular polysaccharides synthesized in the presence of sucrose could make plaque more cariogenic.…”

Effect of Fluoride and Glycyrrhizin Mouthrinses on Artificial Caries Lesions in vivo (Short Communication)

“…The plaque in the present study was relatively thick, and it is likely that a thinner plaque would have been less cariogenic [Essig et al, 1978;Mellberg and Petrou, 1988]. However, plaque thick ness per se cannot be taken as the only indicator of cariogenicity, as can be seen from the results in the placebo group where some of the sites were partially remineralized.…”

In vitro growth, acidogenicity and cariogenicity of predominant human root caries flora

“…42 Furthermore the different degrees of thickness of artificial plaque on root blocks may have contributed to the artificial root lesions with correspondingly varying depths amongst the seven cultural groups. 43 Synergistic growth was observed only in mixed cultures where L. acidophilus was present (Fig. 4).…”