Electron-microscopic demonstration of proline-rich proteins, statherin, and histatins in acquired enamel pellicles in vitro.

Proline-rich proteins (PRPs), histatins, and statherin are salivary proteins that exhibit high affinities for hydroxyapatite surfaces. In vitro experiments with parotid submandibular/sublingual or whole saliva have shown these proteins to adsorb selectively to tooth surfaces. This investigation focuses on the histo-morphological identification of PRPs, histatins, and statherin in acquired enamel pellicles.

Automated fluorescent in situ hybridization for the specific detection and quantification of oral streptococci in dental plaque.

Our aim was to develop a rapid fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assay for the identification of different oral groups of streptococci in dental plaque and to combine it with digital image analysis for the automated enumeration of target cells. Cy3-labeled oligonucleotide probes specific for 16S rRNA gene sequences of the anginosus, mitis, mutans, and salivarius groups of streptococci were hybridized under stringent conditions with bacterial cultures or supragingival plaque samples that had been permeabilized with lysozyme. Probe specificity was determined with strains from 30 different species, mainly of oral origin.

Automated immunofluorescence for enumeration of selected taxa in supragingival dental plaque.

The present study investigated a recently developed automated image analysis technique for its applicability to the enumeration of selected bacteria in supragingival dental plaque. Following initial calibration, the system is capable to count fluorescence-labeled target cells in up to 48 samples without user interference. Test samples contained a characteristic mixture of planktonic bacteria, small almost planar bacterial aggregates, and large, virtually indisruptable clumps with cells from multiple species.

Periodontitis associated bacteria in supragingival plaque of dental hygienists: stability of carrier state and clinical development.

The purpose of this study was the clinical and microbiological re-examination of dental hygienists, who, 30 months before, had shown remarkably high supragingival levels of periodontitis-associated micro-organisms. Interdental plaque was collected from the same molar sites and investigated by the same immunofluorescence assay with taxa-specific monoclonal antibodies as at the initial examination. On average, the 15 re-examined subjects showed slightly increased plaque levels but unchanged bleeding on probing scores (0.

Dominant cross-reactive antibodies generated during the response to a variety of oral bacterial species detect phosphorylcholine.

The intraperitoneal immunization of Balb/c mice with subgingival plaque from advanced periodontal pockets or with certain strains of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinomyces israelii, Streptococcus mitis, or Streptococcus oralis yielded frequently indistinguishable IgM monoclonal antibodies which were reactive with antigens from a variety of oral bacteria. This study aimed to characterize the specificity of such monoclonal antibodies and the diversity of oral bacteria expressing this target antigen or epitope. Using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to study a variety of competitor substances for their capacity to bind to the monoclonal antibodies, we identified phosphorylcholine as the recognized epitope.

Closing of dentinal tubules by Gluma desensitizer.

Gluma Dentin Bond is an adhesive system, where the primer contains 5% glutaraldehyde and 35% hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Practitioners have reported a strong desensitizing effect of the Gluma system on dentin. This study, thus, sought to evaluate the effect of this system on dentin using various microscopic techniques.

Dentin bonding: effect of tubule orientation on hybrid-layer formation.

In an attempt to compare the morphology of the resin-dentin interface in areas where the dentinal tubules run perpendicularly or at an angle to the cavity surface with that of areas where they run parallel to it, we studied a dentin adhesive system using transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy. The design of the study included the simulation of the normal hydrostatic pressure within the pulp and the dentinal tubules. Following acid etching of the dentinal surface with maleic acid/HEMA, the smear layer was removed, and a superficial zone was demineralized in such a way that the exposed collagenous dentin matrix retained its integrity.

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies for rapid identification of Actinomyces naeslundii in clinical samples.

The purpose of this study was to generate highly specific serological reagents for the quantitative identification of Actinomyces naeslundii in clinical samples, in particular dental plaque. Balb/c mice were immunized with pasteurized human A. naeslundii strains representing different genospecies and serotypes.

Serum immunoglobulin G responses to various Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans serotypes in a young ethnographically heterogeneous periodontitis patient group.

Sera from young patients with periodontal diseases have been shown to often contain highly elevated antibody levels to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, in particular serotype b. Such responses were reportedly predominated by antibodies of the immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) subclass. The aim of this study was to investigate an ethnically diverse group of 14 early-onset periodontitis and 15 rapidly progressive periodontitis patients for the occurrence of elevated antibody titers against the five known A.

Incorporation of caseinoglycomacropeptide and caseinophosphopeptide into the salivary pellicle inhibits adherence of mutans streptococci.

The protective effects of milk and milk products against dental caries have been demonstrated in many animal studies. We have shown that this effect was mediated by micellar casein or caseinopeptide derivatives. A reduction in the Streptococcus sobrinus population in the oral microbiota of animals fed diets supplemented with these milk components was consistently observed.