Effect of pour dental varnishes on the colonization of cariogenic bacteriaon exposed sound root surfaces

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four different dental v arnishes on the colonization of mutans streptococci, total streptococci and lactobacilli on exposed sound root surfaces, Sixty-five individuals were r andomly allotted to one of four groups for treatment with Cervitec(R) varni sh containing 1% chlorhexidine and 1% thymol, a thymol varnish or one of tw o different fluoride varnishes, Fluor Protector and Duraphat, The varnish w as applied to three buccal root surfaces in each patient at baseline and af ter 1 week. Dental plaque from the root surfaces was collected and analysed on four different occasions: at baseline, after 1 week, 1 month and 6 mont hs. The Cervitec varnish caused a statistically significant reduction in th e number of mutans streptococci over time. The reduction was significant at 1 week and 1 month relative to baseline. The numbers of total streptococci and lactobacilli were not significantly affected by treatment with Cervite c, No statistically significant difference over time was found for mutans s treptococci, lactobacilli or total streptococci after treatment with the fl uoride varnishes or the thymol varnish. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Ba ser.