BackgroundThe present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of oral microbiota (Candida species (spp.), Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacilli) in patients with multibracket (MB) appliances in relation to the quality of oral hygiene.Saliva and plaque samples were collected from three groups of 25 patients each (good oral hygiene (GOH), poor oral hygiene (POH), and poor oral hygiene with white spot lesions (POH/WSL)). Counts of colony forming units (CFU) of the investigated oral microbiota were compared using Chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests.ResultsBoth saliva and plaque samples showed a high prevalence of Candida spp. in all patients (saliva: 73.4 %, plaque: 60.9 %). The main Candida species was C. albicans. The salivary CFU of Candida spp. in the GOH group was significantly lower than that in the POH group (p = 0.045) and POH/WSL group (p = 0.011). S. mutans was found in the saliva and plaque samples of all patients. Lactobacilli were found in the saliva samples of all patients and in 90.7 % of the plaque samples. In the saliva samples, the CFU of Lactobacilli were more numerous in the POH and POH/WSL groups than in the GOH group (p = 0.047).ConclusionsThe investigated sample of patients showed a high carriage of oral Candida spp. Patients with WSL formation during MB appliance treatment exhibited higher counts of Candida and Lactobacilli compared with patients with good oral hygiene. Independent of oral hygiene quality, S. mutans was detected in all patients.

The use of cleaning solutions was recommended comparatively infrequently, even though the scientific literature suggests that this is the most hygienic way to care for ROA.

IntroductionIt was aimed to assess the retention of caries-associated microorganisms on two different manual toothbrushes (conventional and tapered) and to evaluate the influence of multibracket appliances (MB) on the microbial contamination of the brush head.Methods50 MB-patients and 50 subjects without MB received a toothbrush (elmex® interX medium short head or meridol®) plus toothpaste (elmex®) for exclusive use and an information sheet with standardised brushing instructions. After 14 days of regular tooth brushing, the brushes were collected and sluiced in Sputasol solution. The suspension was incubated on selective agar plates and the amount of Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli and Candida albicans for each brush head was assessed.ResultsRegarding the retention of microorganisms, no differences could be detected between the two bristle designs. However, the amount of S. mutans was significantly higher on brushes used by MB-patients (p < 0.005) than on the brushes of subjects without MB. The number of Lactobacilli and C. albicans was minimal in all cases and below statistical evaluation.ConclusionsDuring treatment with MB appliances, toothbrushes were contaminated more intensely with S. mutans independent of bristle design. A more frequent replacement of toothbrushes may thus be recommended for patients undergoing MB-treatment.

In 2‐jährigen Gefäßversuchen mit Sommerweizen wurde der Einfluß verschiedener, exogener Wachstumsfaktoren (N ‐ Düngung, CCC + Ancymidol, Thermoperiode) auf die Ährenentwicklung einhalmiger Pflanzen untersucht. Alle drei Faktoren veränderten die Dominanzstruktur der Ähre. Sowohl eine gesteigerte N‐Düngung als auch die Wachstumsregulatoren führten zu einer Abschwächung, höhere Temperaturen während der Ährenorganogenese dagegen zu einer Verstärkung der Medialdominanz in der Ähre. Die Wachstumsregulatoren reduzierten die Ährchenzahl pro Ähre, wodurch aber die Fertilität der Gesamtähre nicht zwangsläufig abnahm. Der Einfluß der Wachstumsregulatoren mit Anti‐Gibberellin‐Wirkung auf die Dominanzstrukturen in der Ähre wird mit einem verstärkten Assimilattransport in die Ähre in Verbindung mit einer gestiegenen Attraktionsatmung erklärt.