Cited by 953Oral microbiology and periodontitis researchDental Health and Care UtilizationDental materials and restorations

Bacteria of Dental Caries in Primary and Permanent Teeth in Children and Young Adults

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Aas, Jørn A., Griffen, Ann L., Dardis, Sara R., Lee, Alice M., Olsen, Ingar, Dewhirst, Floyd E., Leys, Eugene J., Paster, Bruce J.·2008·Journal of Clinical Microbiology

Abstract

Although Streptococcus mutans has been implicated as a major etiological agent of dental caries, our cross-sectional preliminary study indicated that 10% of subjects with rampant caries in permanent teeth do not have detectable levels of S. mutans . Our aims were to use molecular methods to detect all bacterial species associated with caries in primary and permanent teeth and to determine the bacterial profiles associated with different disease states. Plaque was collected from 39 healthy controls and from intact enamel and white-spot lesions, dentin lesions, and deep-dentin lesions in each of 51 subjects with severe caries. 16S rRNA genes were PCR amplified, cloned, and sequenced to determine species identities. In a reverse-capture checkerboard assay, 243 samples were analyzed for 110 prevalent bacterial species. A sequencing analysis of 1,285 16S rRNA clones detected 197 bacterial species/phylotypes, of which 50% were not cultivable. Twenty-two new phylotypes were identified. PROC MIXED tests revealed health- and disease-associated species. In subjects with S. mutans , additional species, e.g., species of the genera Atopobium , Propionibacterium , and Lactobacillus , were present at significantly higher levels than those of S. mutans . Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium dentium , and low-pH non- S. mutans streptococci were predominant in subjects with no detectable S. mutans . Actinomyces spp. and non- S. mutans streptococci were predominant in white-spot lesions, while known acid producers were found at their highest levels later in disease. Bacterial profiles change with disease states and differ between primary and secondary dentitions. Bacterial species other than S. mutans , e.g., species of the genera Veillonella , Lactobacillus , Bifidobacterium , and Propionibacterium , low-pH non- S. mutans streptococci, Actinomyces spp., and Atopobium spp., likely play important roles in caries progression.

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  1. [2]Anusavice, K. J. 2002. Dental caries: risk assessment and treatment solutions for an elderly population. Compend. Contin. Educ. Dent. 2312-20. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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Authors
Aas, J. A., Griffen, A. L., Dardis, S. R., Lee, A. M., Olsen, I., Dewhirst, F. E., Leys, E. J., & Paster, B. J.
Affiliations
  • University of Oslo (NO)
  • Department of Pediatric Dentistry
  • The Forsyth Institute (US)
  • Harvard University (US)
  • The Ohio State University (US)
Corresponding author
Aas, Jørn A.
Venue
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
Published
2008-04
Volume
46
Issue
4
Pages
1407-1417
ISSN
  • 0095-1137 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-660X
OpenAlex
W2104771379
Cited by
952
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 61 · 2023: 62 · 2022: 87 · 2021: 80 · 2020: 84 · 2019: 64 · 2018: 63 · 2017: 46 · 2016: 50 · 2015: 42 · 2014: 53 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 46
FWCI
42.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Universitetet i Oslo
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (U01DE016937, DE016125, R01DE016125, DE11443, R01DE011443)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Orthodontics › Dental materials and restorations
Keywords
dental caries, Streptococcus mutans, primary teeth, permanent teeth, bacterial species composition, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, white spot lesions, dentin lesions, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium dentium, Atopobium, Propionibacterium, Actinomyces, Veillonella, caries progression, caries etiology, children and young adults
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Dental Caries, Gram-Positive Bacteria, Humans, Molecular Sequence Data, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S, Tooth, Tooth, Deciduous, Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections, Sequence Analysis, DNA

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