title: Viability of bacteria in dental calculus - A microbiological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was (1) To investigate the viability of bacteria within supragingival and subgingival calculus, (2) To examine motility of bacteria, and (3) To identify bacterial morphotypes in calculus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Supra and subgingival calculus were harvested from 30 subjects having clinical evidence of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease and were divided into two groups. Samples from both groups were immediately transported to the Department of Microbiology for gram staining, acridine orange staining, bacterial culture and to the Department of Oral Pathology for dark field microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gram staining revealed presence of bacteria within the samples.Dark field microscopic examination revealed presence of filamentous organisms, spirochetes, and motile short bacilli. Acridine orange fluorescent stain showed that the viable bacteria appeared apple green. Bacterial culture revealed presence of a variety of aerobic organisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From the results, it appeared that viable bacteria were present within calculus especially within internal channels and lacunae.
authors: Department of Periodontics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Nikesh N
authors: NN
authors: Moolya
authors: Srinath
authors: S
authors: Thakur
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ravindra
authors: Swati B
authors: SB
authors: Setty
authors: Raghavendra
authors: R
authors: Kulkarni
authors: Kaveri
authors: K
authors: Hallikeri