• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2007

Through out the world dental caries seems to be decreased as it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis for dental caries. The traditional diagnostic method which is probing and x-ray taking has many limitations to diagnose the early caries, so there were recommendations for the needs of new equipments such as laser fluorescence(LF), digital imaging fiber-optic trans-illumination(DIFOTI), and quantitative light fluorescence (QLF) which were developed from various study results. Also confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM) and ultrasonics are used for research progression. This study is to evaluate whether it is possible to monitor accurately for remineralization amount of enamel surface early caries using DIFOTI or LF After inducing artificial caries to bovine teeth to 10 participants remineralization was enhanced by 0 ppm and 500 ppm fluoride mouth rinse solution for 3 weeks. Then they were cross sectioned and analyzed using gold standard of the lesion depth measured by CLSM. The following results were obtained: 1. The measured percentage of light intensity(luminosity ratio) by DIFOTI increased with remineralization period, and showed significant reverse correlation with lesion depth measured by CLSM (p<0.01). 2. The measurement of laser fluorescence increased with remineralization period, and showed significant correlation with lesion depth measured by CLSM (p<0.01). 3. To the result for CLSM, 500 ppm fluoride mouth rinse group showed rapid rate for decreased tendency of lesion depth than 0 ppm fluoride mouth rinse group. In conclusion DIFOTI system was used to measure accurately for the remineralization amount of early surface caries, it is a very useful equipment to detect precisely the changes for early enamel caries remineralization during treatments.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to analyze the reasons and mean age for tooth extraction among patients living in Busan city. The researcher observed 1,119 patients' teeth extracted due to dental caries, periodontal disease and other reasons. This study examined the reasons for tooth extraction by age, sex, and tooth-kind. The reasons for tooth extraction were dental caries, periodontal disease, eruption problems and others. The obtained results were as follows; 1. Among the reasons for tooth extraction, dental caries accounted for 25.9%, periodontal disease 56.5%. 2. Periodontal disease was the main reason for tooth extraction and continued throughout life irrespective of sex. However dental caries was remarkably increasing in those aged 30 years old and under. 3. In the extraction of permanent teeth, males outnumbered females while upper teeth did lower teeth. 4. Although the third molars were most extracted in all kinds of teeth, the main reasons for the extraction were eruption problem. 5. The mean age of the tooth extracted was 47.9 years in both sexes for the mandibular first molars and the mandibular first molars had the shortest life except third molars of total teeth. The mandibular canines had the longest life of total teeth. Because dental caries and periodontal disease are the main causes of tooth extraction in Korea, the dental health policy should be focused on the prevention and treatment of these two diseases in the government level.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of carvacrol against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria and its cytotoxicity in human oral tissue cells. We tested their antibacterial properties against mutans streptococci and five major periodontopathic bacterial species involved in periodontal disease. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The cell viability of carvacrol on normal human gingival fibroblast (NHGF) cells was tested by metyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The data showed that carvacrol had remarkable antimicrobial effect on tested bacteria with a MIC and MBC values ranged from 16 to $128{\mu}g/ml$ and from 32 to $128{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In cell toxicity studies, carvacrol had significantly decreased cell viability when NHGF cells were treated at $128{\mu}g/ml$. These findings suggest that carvacrol has a strong antimicrobial activity against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria. However, in order to use it as a component of gargling solution or toothpaste, its concentration should be below $64{\mu}g/ml$ and other compounds having an antimicrobial activity against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria should be used together.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.218-225
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• 2015

This study used sodium fluorescein to improve imaging diagnostic ability by increasing the fluorescence difference between sound enamel and caries lesions. It also made it easier to discriminate between stain and caries lesions using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). Half of the specimen surface was covered with nail varnish as a control. Specimens were divided randomly in six decalcification groups and decalcified for different lengths of time. Then, ${\Delta}F$ was measured using QLF-D. After applying 0.075% sodium fluorescein, we measured ${\Delta}F$ again and compared it with the initial value. After cutting the central portion of the specimen, we measured the lesion depth using scanning electron microscopy. The lesion surfaces observed with QLF were darker than normal enamel, whereas they were lighter than normal enamel after applying fluorescein. Longer decalcification time was associated with greater fluorescent dye penetration. The ${\Delta}F$ measured after applying fluorescein was higher than the initial value (p < 0.05). Due to QLF measurement using fluorescein being more sensitive for diagnosing early decalcification, this approach will enable early diagnosis of dental caries before the cavity formation stage, allowing the treatment of early caries lesions. With QLF and sodium fluorescein, we can easily discriminate between stain and caries lesions.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.130-139
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• 2007

This study investigated the relationship between dental caries and various oral factors in subjects with Down's syndrome. We compared 25 subjects with Down's syndrome with 63 healthy control. The dental caries index and plaque index were examined, and the total salivary immunoglobulin A and S. mutans specific salivary immunoglobulin A concentration were measured using ELISA. The S. mutans counts, Lactobacillus counts and buffer capacity were measured with Dentocult test medium. The decayed and filled surface index of deciduous teeth in subjects with Down's syndrome was lower than in controls(p<0.001). The plaque index and total salivary immunoglobulin A concentration showed no difference, S. mutans specific salivary immunoglobulin A concentration and buffer capacity in subjects with Down's syndrome were lower than in controls(p<0.001). There was no significant difference between two groups in the S. mutans counts and Lactobacillus counts. In 9-11 year age group, S. mutans counts in subjects with Down's syndrome was lower than in controls(p<0.001) and S. mutans specific salivary immunoglobulin A concentration was lower(p<0.05). There was a high correlation among deciduous dental caries index and buffering capacity and S. mutans counts.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.367-373
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• 2008

The natural products are used to be development of new antibacterial substances against human pathogenic bacteria. Adherence to the tooth surface by S. mutans is an important step in initiation of dental caries. This study was to examine antibacterial activity and anti-adhesive effect of Scutellaria baicalensis extract against S. mutans. Extracts of S. baicalensis were tested for antimicrobial activities by paper disc methods and radial diffusion assay methods, and bacterial adherence assay using 3 type of hydroxyapatite. The antibacterial level of ethyl acetate extract, IPK-3 on the growth of S. mutans was 125 mg/ml of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The maximum growth of S. mutans in medium added with IPK-3 extract (50 mg/ml) was delayed to 30 hr, while the highest at 24 hr in control medium. The pH values of the control medium was 5.63 at 18 hr, but the media supplemented with IPK-3 extract was pH 6.50 at 12 hr. In adhesive inhibition assay, S. mutans was labelled with the fluorescent indicator DAPI and measured with fluorescence microscope. Adhesion of S. mutans on hydroxyapatite beads was inhibited by IPK-3 extracts. These results suggest that S. baicalensis extract can be used as an effective material for antibacterial activity and adhesive inhibition against S. mutans.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2001

Streptococcus mutans is one of the primary bacteria that cause dental caries which further result in plaque build up. Acid production resulted from carbohydrate metabolism can threaten survival of the bacteria. However some populations of S. mutans which are exposed to low acidic condition for a period of time would develop resistance and tolerance of cells to acidity that will enhance the chance of survival. Similar acid tolerances has been reported in case of Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium, E. coli, Shigella flexneri. These acid tolerance responses(ATR) have been evolved in a similar manner as S. mutans. The protein produced in acidic condition has been proven to be important for ATR and confirmed by using chloramphenicol procedure. We hypothesize here that proteins synthesized in response to acid shock and other elements are important for ATR of cells. In this study we have confirmed that S. mutans developed acid tolerance and resistance against anaerobic condition. Mutational DNA analysis responsible for acid tolerance should be additionally required in the future. Since the development of acid tolerance that is essential for the survival of S. mutans and development of dental caries, ATR of S. mutans shoule be farther to prevent dental caries.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2006

The purpose of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of the newly developed Digital Imaging Fiber-Optic Trans-illumination (DIFOTI) system in detecting carious lesions in vivo as gold standard with confocal laser scanning microscopy and compared the efficacy of traditional radiography and DIFOTI system in vito as gold standard with confocal laser scanning microscopy, too. For the in vivo study, the subject pool consisted of 23 grammar school age patients just prior to entering the mixed dentition phase Each patient was given a DIFOTI examination of the anterior and posterior teeth. During $6{\sim}8$ months, the naturally expire primary teeth were collected and the efficacy of DIFOTI system was compared with confocal laser scanning microscopy. For in vitro study, 40 primary teeth were collected and decalcified by Carbopol decalcification solution for 1, 2, 4 and 8 days. Every experiment period, all teeth were DIFOTI examined and sectioned to take an image of confocal laser scanning microscopy Sensitivity and specificity were calculated from the result of DIFOTI examine and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis. The results are as follows : 1. From the in vivo study, the sensitivity of DIFOTI examine was 0. 61 and specificity was 0.63. 2. From the in vivo study, the sensitivity of DIFOTI examine was 0.71 and specificity was 0.75.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.728-737
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• 2003

To evaluate microbial data and salivary measurements from clinically compatible, culture-based screening procedures employed with children younger than 36 months old. Plaque and stimulated saliva specimens were collected from 87 children. The pH of each saliva sample was measured before and after 0.94% lactic acid was added. Specimens were diluted and plated on selective media and non-selective media. Data collected were counts of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB). In addition, total viable counts (TVC) of specimens, salivary pH and buffering capacity were also assessed. Each variable was compared to caries status of subjects. According to this study, the results were as followed: 1. Highly significant correlation with caries rates were found for counts of MS and LB. 2. The specific counts/ml saliva or plaque above which caries is predicted, or below which caries is not predicted were as follows: 1) Saliva MS; $10^5$ 2) Plaque MS; $2{\times}10^5$ 3) Saliva LB; $10^3$ 4) Plaque LB; $10^3$. 3. Salivary pH and buffering capacity versus caries status were not significant. 4. Microbial screening methods based on mutans streptococci had higher predictive values and odds ratios than methods for lactobacilli. 5. MS counts were clearly the best indicators of caries status in young children. This measurement can easily be obtained in a dental clinical setting both by conventional culture techniques, or commercial kits for MS recovery.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.660-666
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of Er:YAG laser against the intraoral acid producing bacterium of S. mutans. Bacterial pellet containing S. mutans KCTC 3065 was irradiated by Er:YAG laser having a $650\;{\mu}m$ diameter beam by non-contact mode. Irradiated parameters were 50mJ, 10Hz and exposure time were 1s, 3s, 5s, 7s, 9s respectively. We obtained the following results of relative growth rate and acid-producing ability of S. mutans by culturing for 48hrs. 1. The growth rate of S. mutans was decreased in the group of laser irradiation compared to the control group(P<0.01). 2. The growth rate at laser irradiation group of 7s, 9s irradiation time was decreased significantly compared to the laser irradiation group of 1s, 3s, 5s irradiation time, until 12 hours(P<0.05). After 24 hours, all groups of laser irradiation were not found to be statistically different in each other. 3. The acid-producing ability of S. mutans was inhibited for a certain duration by irradiation of laser. In summary, the growth rate and acid producing ability of S. mutans decreased according to laser irradiation. This effect was directly related to the amount of irradiation time. These results suggested that Er:YAG laser had an growth inhibition effect on S. mutans.