title: In vitro reduction of mutans streptococci by means of ozone gas application.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate, in vitro, the antimicrobial effect of ozone gas on strains of reference mutans streptococci and strains isolated from children at a high risk of developing caries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of dilutions was obtained from a total of 41 strains, and the effect of ozone was determined for applications of 10, 20, and 40 seconds, as well as a control, in terms of the reduction of viable bacteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ozone application for 10 and 20 seconds produced a significant reduction in the number of bacteria, inversely proportional to the bacterial concentration. When exposure lasted 40 seconds, no viable bacteria were obtained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both time of application and initial bacterial concentration bear an influence on the antimicrobial effect of ozone on mutans streptococci.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Galindo-Moreno
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Avila
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valderrama
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liébana
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baca
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010126:Ozone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D010126:Ozone