Der Einfluss von Speichelfaktoren und der Keimflora der Mundhöhle auf die Demineralisation des Zahnschmelzes : eine Pilotstudie unter Verwendung der Synchrotronstrahlung

In this study, the influence of salivary parameters and the oral microbial flora on the demineralization of tooth enamel was investigated with synchrotron tomography. In a first part four test persons wore an intraoral appliance containing enamel samples, taken from human wisdom teeth. The subjects were divided into two groups with different time periods of wearing the intraoral appliance. Afterwards the samples were analyzed with respect to a mineral loss using synchrotron tomography. In parallel, the subjects’ saliva was examined in a second part study using saliva tests. Saliva samples were analyzed to the number of S. mutans, lactobacilli, saliva buffering capacity and flow rate. Subsequently the results of both sub-studies were set in correlation using the morphological model. Group A, which wore the intraoral appliance four weeks showed no demineralization. Group B showed after six weeks different degrees of mineral loss. While one test subject in Group B showed a marked demineralization another proband showed a much higher mineral loss. Apart of the number of S. mutans the salivary parameters of the subjects varied considerably from proband to proband. In consideration of the limited sample size and specific boundary conditions (number of S. mutans equal) the morphological analysis of these findings resulted in the identification of two overdominant factors: buffer capacity and time factor. In summary, the study demonstrates the general suitability of the use of intraoral appliances, synchrotron tomography and saliva tests in order to draw conclusions about the cause-effect relationships of salivary parameters and the microbial flora