title: Bacterial growth on dental restorative materials in mucosal contact.
abstract: Test specimens of amalgam, gold, porcelain, heat-cured acrylic resin, and human enamel were made to fit into cavities prepared in acrylic pontics of maxillary bridges. One side of the specimen was in close contact with the mucosa. Plaque was allowed to accumulate on the specimens for 27 to 48 days, and adherent bacteria were then quantified by cultivation on selective and non-selective media. The inflammatory status of the mucosa overlying the specimens were monitored by exudation measurements. Lower total numbers of bacteria were recovered from acrylic specimens than from the other materials used, including enamel. There were also significant subject differences in bacterial recovery. Test specimens in contact with inflamed mucosa yielded less total numbers of bacteria, but higher numbers of Streptococcus mutans, than did specimens exposed to mucosa with no or negligible exudation.
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000382:microbiology; D003764:Dental Materials; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D006047:Gold Alloys; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D006047:Gold Alloys; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D003723:Dental Amalgam