title: Effect of tablets containing probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus reuteri) on early caries lesions in adolescents: a pilot study.
abstract: The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of tablets containing probiotic lactobacilli on early caries lesions in adolescents with quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). 36 healthy adolescents of both sexes (12-17 years of age) were enrolled and randomly allocated to a placebo-controlled trial with two parallel groups. The test group received two tablets daily containing two strains of Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938 and ATCC PTA 5289) for a period of three months, while the control group got identical placebo tablets without live bacteria. The primary outcome was QLF-readings (change in fluorescence, ΔF and lesion area, mm2) at baseline and after 3 months, conducted at two buccal sites of each individual, pre-selected with clearly visible clinical signs of enamel demineralisation (white spots). Significantly more premolars were allocated to the placebo group, while the test group had more incisors (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in fluorescence values between the groups, neither at baseline, nor at the follow-up. There was however a significant decrease in fluorescence over time in the test group, but not in the placebo group (P<0.05). No alterations of the lesion area (ΔA) were found in any group. The inter-examiner intra-class correlation coefficient-value for QLF-readings was excellent. No side- or adverse effects were reported during the intervention period. This pilot study found a significant decrease over time in the test group. However, no statistically significant differences in fluorescence values between the groups were found. Hence, the null hypothesis could not be rejected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Odontology, Section for Cariology & Endodontics and Pediatric Dentistry & Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Allé 20, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: Public Dental Clinic, Ishøy Søvej 200, 2635 Ishøy Denmark.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nøhr Larsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Hälsovägen, 14186 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Odontology, Section for Cariology & Endodontics and Pediatric Dentistry & Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Allé 20, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Twetman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D052200:Limosilactobacillus reuteri / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013607:Tablets / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D013607:Tablets
keywords: enamel lesions; laser fluorescence; probiotics; secondary prevention