Effect of chlorhexidine mouth rinse on Streptococci counts of tooth-tissue-borne palatal expander biofilm.
OBJECTIVE
To assess total Streptococci (TS) counts and biofilm mass over tooth-tissue-borne palatal expander (TTBPE), as well as the effect of chlorhexidine (CHX) mouth rinse on these variables.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study design employed clinical procedures and laboratorial techniques.


METHODS
Patients who had TTBPE removal indicated were divided into two groups: a CHX group (n = 26) in which three times a day of 0.2% CHX digluconate mouth rinses were prescribed 7 days before TTBPE removal; and a control (CON) group (n = 25) in which no antimicrobial treatment was applied.


METHODS
'Gender', 'Age', and 'TTBPE wear time' were recorded. After TTBPE removal, biofilm mass was determined by the difference between (TTBPE + biofilm) and (TTBPE only) masses. TS counts were determined by biofilm suspension followed by progressive dilutions and culture on Mitis Salivarius agar with incubation at 37 degrees C for 72 h.


METHODS
Biofilm mass (mg) and Colony Forming Units of TS / mg of biofilm (CFU-TS / mg) were calculated. Results - Total Streptococci mean values in CHX (6.77 x 10(6)CFU-TS / mg) were statistically lower (p < 0.01) than those in CON (3.82 x 10(7)CFU-TS / mg), but there was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between CHX (168.88 mg) and CON (182.04 mg) masses nor statistical correlation (p > 0.05) between biofilm mass and CFU-TS / mg in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Chlorhexidine reduces the TS counts in TTBPE, but has no effect on biofilm mass.
Maruo
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IT
Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. ivan_maruo@yahoo.com.br
Rosa
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Maruo
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Tanaka
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Guariza Filho
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Ignácio
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Camargo
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D000293:Adolescent; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000382:microbiology*; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine