The Retardation of Spontaneous Periodontal Disease and the Prevention of Caries in Hamsters with Dextranase

Abstract

showed that dex tranase produced by a culture of Penicillium funiculosum was able to remove plaques grown in vitro. These plaques were products of cariogenic streptococci in su crose containing broths. Later the same investigators working with Keyes 2 showed that dextranase reduced plaque formation and retarded caries development in albino hamsters previously infected with cariogenic organisms. Smooth surface lesions in the third molars did not form when administration of dextranase was begun prior to the eruption of this tooth.The present communication is concerned with the capacity of dextranase to prevent smooth surface caries completely in all molar teeth of golden hamsters fed a test diet containing 56% sucrose. The formation of plaque in the gingival sulcus and the development of periodontal pathosis was greatly reduced during the test period. Also a curative experiment is described in which dextranase removed preformed plaque in hamsters after 2 days of treatment.

The influence of mutanase and dextranase on the production and structure of glucans synthesized by streptococcal glucosyltransferases

“…Furthermore, the topical use of mutanase or dextranase as an approach to control dental plaque has been explored in vitro and in vivo with variable results. [29][30][31][32][33][34] However, the understanding of the influence of glucanohydrolases on both synthesis and chemical structure of different types of glucans remains unexplored.…”

Expression and secretion of an Arthrobacter dextranase in the oral bacterium Streptococcus gordonii

“…In the prevention of dental caries, dextranase is one of the effective agents which digest the 1,6-a-glucoside bond of water-insoluble glucan on the tooth surface, and dextranase significantly inhibits the production of water-insoluble glucan and the adherence of mutans streptococci cells in vitro (8,11,15,23,28). However, rigorous use of mouth rinses that contain highly concentrated dextranase is necessary for the dispersion and prevention of bacterial plaques in vivo (2,4,7,12,17,24). The development of more effective delivery methods would aid the prevention and control of bacterial plaque infections on teeth.…”

“…Dextranase is an enzyme which hydrolyzes the 1,6-a-glucosidic linkages of glucan and is known to repress the adherence of mutans streptococci to the tooth surface in vitro (8,11,15,23,25). This enzyme also retards plaque deposition on the tooth surface and thus inhibits dental caries in experimental animals (2,7,12).…”

Effects of Dextranases on Attachment of Streptococcus mutans to Hydroxyapatite

“…Dextranase (EC 3.2.1.11) has usually been successful in preventing dental caries in animal experiments (1,2,8,12,13,23). Conflicting results, however, have been reported when the enzyme was used in human clinical trials (3,7,16,19,20).…”