Amplicon-based microbiome study highlights the loss of diversity and the establishment of a set of species in patients with dentin caries.

Objectives: To elicit patterns in pathogenic biofilm composition we characterized the oral microbiome present in patients with dentin caries in comparison to healthy subjects.

Methods: 16S amplicon sequencing was used to analyse a total of 56 patients; 19 samples of carious dentin (pooled from at least three teeth) and 37 supragingival samples (pooled from three healthy tooth surfaces). Oral and periodontal status and socio-demographic parameters were recorded.