Evaluation of an Artificial Mouth for Dental Caries Development

Abstract

This study validated a microbial caries model (artificial mouth) for dental caries development to determine the optimal time to create early caries suitable for evaluation of the efficacy of caries therapeutic agents. In all, 40 human enamel blocks were placed in an artificial mouth at 37 °C and 5% CO2 and were exposed to brain heart infusion broth inoculated with S. mutans in continuous circulation (0.3 mL/min). The culture medium was replaced three times daily. Samples were exposed to 10% sucrose for 3 min, 3 times daily to promote biofilm growth. Five samples were harvested from the chamber after 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. At the end of experiment, samples were assessed visually by ICDAS criteria, while lesion depth (LD) and mineral loss (ML) were measured using polarizing light microscopy and transverse microradiography. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation, ANOVA, and Tukey comparison test (p < 0.05). Results showed significant and strong positive correlation (p < 0.01) between all variables and biofilm growth time. LD and ML profiles of 7-day lesions seem to be the most suitable for remineralization studies. In conclusion, using the evaluated artificial mouth, early-stage caries suitable for products’ evaluation studies was produced within 7 days of exposure to microbial biofilm.

Caries preventing efficacy of new Isomalt-containing mouthrinse formulations: a microbial study

“…Although most marketed mouthwashes are applied for 30 s, the isomalt mouthwashes investigated in the present study were tailored for 1-min application, thus the 1-minute application used for all the mouthwashes in the present study as directed by the manufacturer. The study was conducted using a multispecies MCM that acts as an artificial mouth, producing cariogenic dental plaque and simulating the biological and physiological activities observed within the oral environment [11][12][13]. In the present study, the application of the mouthwashes in the presence of plaque, frequently fed with sucrose without toothbrushing, subjected the tooth blocks to the natural demineralization and remineralization cycles similar to a high caries risk condition in the oral environment [12].…”

“…The study was conducted using a multispecies MCM that acts as an artificial mouth, producing cariogenic dental plaque and simulating the biological and physiological activities observed within the oral environment [11][12][13]. In the present study, the application of the mouthwashes in the presence of plaque, frequently fed with sucrose without toothbrushing, subjected the tooth blocks to the natural demineralization and remineralization cycles similar to a high caries risk condition in the oral environment [12]. The result of the study showed that with either the SMH (%ΔSMH) or the TMR (Δz) measurement, combining fluoride with Isomalt and CPC (IFC) consistently showed higher effectiveness in preventing demineralization (87%) than when it is only fluoride (37%) or fluoride combined with either Isomalt (33%) or CPC (58%) only (Figs.…”

“…The experiment was carried out using our MCM, a multiple-chamber continuous flow bacteria culture system that has been validated and described in our previous studies [11][12][13]. Each treatment group was assigned to a separate chamber, and the tooth blocks were embedded within a cylindrical acrylic rod inside the chamber, ensuring that the surfaces of the blocks flush with the acrylic surface to permit streamline flow of the culture media on enamel surface to enable the growth of dental plaque on the enamel surface.…”

“…Moreover, it has become clear that in complex multispecies biofilms polymicrobial interactions enhance the resistance to antimicrobials, thus increasing the resistance to antimicrobial treatment by biofilm-bound bacteria than their planktonic counterparts in saliva [10]. Therefore, it is now acknowledged that studying new compounds aimed at interfering with bacteria activities requires polymicrobial biofilm models instead of traditional bacterial cell cultures [11][12][13].…”

Hard tissue formation in pulpotomized primary teeth in dogs with nanomaterials MCM-48 and MCM-48/hydroxyapatite: an in vivo animal study

“…It is noteworthy that the application of family members of MCM nanomaterials in dentistry is an active area of research that holds potential for various applications in dentistry, such as dental Restorative materials [ 37 ], drug delivery in periodontal therapy [ 38 , 39 ], dental implant coating [ 40 ], remineralizing agents [ 41 , 42 ], local anesthetic delivery [ 43 ], and dental cement [ 44 ]. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study about the application of MCM-48 in the pulpotomy of teeth.…”