THE INHIBITORY EFFECT OF CHLORHEXIDINE VARNISH AND POLYURETHANE SEALANT ON STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS IN THE PRIMARY DENTITION

유치열에서 Chlorhexidine Varnish와 Polyurethane Sealant의 Streptococcus mutans억제 효과에 대한 연구

Numerous chemical agents have been developed to reduce the activity of cariogenic bacteria. Of these, chlorhexidine is acknowledged as the most effective. Gel and mouthrinse have been the traditional method of its application in the mouth. It has been reported that chlorhexidine varnish has prolonged inhibitory effect on the number of streptococcus mutans in saliva and plaque. Recently, chlorhexidine varnish and polyurethane sealant have been developed to promote prolonged anticariogenic effect of chlorhexidine. Products containing 10% chlorhexidine varnish and polyurethane sealant have been developed to prevent caries by reducing the number of streptococcus mutans in the oral cavity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of chlorhexidine varnish and polyurethane sealant on streptococcus mutans in the primary dentition. Children with primary dentition containing no active carious lesion were divided into two groups. To the experimental group (n=11), chlorhexidine varnish and polyurethane sealant ($Chlorzoin^{(R)}$, Knowell Therapeutic Technologies, Inc. Canada.) was applied once a week for four weeks according to the manufacturer's instruction. Only oral prophylaxis was performed on the control group(n=7). Caries activity was measured after using $Cariescreen^{(R)}$SM (Knowell Therapeutic Technologies, Inc. Canada,) to incubate streptococcus mutans before and 5, 12, 24 weeks after initial varnish application. The following results were observed.; 1. There was statistically significant decrease in the number of streptococcus mutans in the experimental group for 5 weeks(P<0.01), 12 weeks(P<0.05) after the initial application. but, by 24 weeks significant difference had disappeared. 2. As the inhibitory effect of chlorhexidine varnish and polyurethane sealant application is not everlasting, reapplication at 12-24 weeks should be needed.