Maximization of the anti-caries and antibiofilm effect of conventional substances: evaluation in a polymicrobial biofilm model

Abstract

Dental caries is a chronic, multifactorial disease resulting from the presence of biofilms and fermentable carbohydrates. Suppressing the hegemony of cariogenic species in the dental biofilm can be an effective alternative for its control, which can be achieved using different strategies. The present study is divided into three phases. The aim of the first phase will be to define the most appropriate concentration for the associated use of three substances of recognized anticariogenic action. In the second phase, the antibiofilm and anti-caries properties the three substances alone or in combination will be evaluated using enamel or dentin blocks. In the third phase, the mechanisms of action involved in the antibiofilm and anti-caries activity of the substances alone or in combination will be evaluated. Polymicrobial biofilms obtained from a donor's saliva will be used. Biofilms will grow in an active adhesion model, using intermittent sucrose exposure. In phase 1, the biofilms will grow on glass discs. The microbial composition and acidogenicity of the biofilms from 16 experimental groups will be assessed. In phase 2, acidogenicity and microbial composition of biofilms will be evaluated, as well as demineralization of the enamel surface and the depth of the lesion formed. In phase 3, the chemical composition of the enamel and dentin surface, the concentration of insoluble extracellular polysaccharides in the biofilm matrix, the biofilm biomass and the concentration of calcium, fluoride and phosphate in the biofilm fluid will be evaluated. The data will be analyzed using the GraphPad Prism version 3.02. A test of normality of the sample distribution and homogeneity of variances (p <0.05) will be performed. (AU)