Retrospective Review of Oral Probiotic Therapy.

There have been many in vitro studies reporting on the efficacy of probiotic bacteria in inhibiting pathogens, and there have been published studies reporting on the inhibitor effects of probiotic bacteria on the salivary levels of bacterial pathogens. However, there have not been but a few studies on the clinical benefits of oral probiotic therapy. Dental records of 60 patients that were enrolled in an Institutional Review Board approved study were reviewed as to current caries activity status with measurement of the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth index and by Caries Management By Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) determination.

Effectiveness of CRT at measuring the salivary level of bacteria in caries prone children with probiotic therapy.

Aim: This IRB approved clinical trial was to determine the effect of "over the counter" probiotic supplements on the Caries Risk Test- CRT- (Ivoclar) results of the oral microflora in high caries risk children.

Study Design: Sixty subjects 6 to 12 years old with a caries risk assessment (CAMBRA) of moderate to high (caries prone) were evaluated by an analysis of the difference in the salivary levels of pathogenic bacteria (mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli). The subjects were randomly selected by randomizing software and assigned to two diferent Groups.