Jj. Desoet et al., A COMPARISON OF THE MICROBIAL-FLORA IN CARIOUS DENTIN OF CLINICALLY DETECTABLE AND UNDETECTABLE OCCLUSAL LESIONS, Caries research, 29(1), 1995, pp. 46-49
It is not known whether the aetiology of occlusal hidden caries lesion
s (HCL) is identical to that of small visible lesions (SVL). Previous
studies ofthe microflora of HCL suggest that relatively few species ca
n be isolated. The aim ofthe present study was to compare the bacteria
l composition of dentine from 10 HCL and 17 SVL in a population of chi
ldren aged 8-18 years. The following bacteria were identified: Actinom
yces spp., mutans streptococci, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus o
ralis, Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus mitis, and Lactobacillus
spp. Streptococcus mutans was found more often in the HCL group (p = 0
.03), while Streptococcus sobrinus was found more often in the SVL gro
up (p = 0.05). However, proportions ofboth species were lower in the S
VL group as compared with the HCL group (S. mzltnns p = 0.07; S. sobri
nus p = 0.03). Lactobacilli and Actinomyces spp. were found at similar
levels in bath groups. A more diverse range of streptococcal species
and Veillonella was found in the SVL group (p = 0.001). These results
show a less complex microflora in HCL as compared with SVL, indicatin,
o that the aetiology ofhidden caries might be different from thatofope
ncaries.