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Abstract
Microcosm biofilms formed in microplates have demonstrated complex community dynamics similar to natural dental biofilm. No simplified microcosm models to evaluate enamel demineralization and dose-response effect to anticariogenic therapies have yet been established, thus this study was designed to develop a pre-clinical model fulfilling this purpose. Experiments were carried out to establish the time of biofilm formation and the sucrose concentration and exposure regimen. Biofilms were initiated from saliva and grown for up to 10 days on bovine enamel discs in 24-well plates, with a saliva analogue medium. Data were collected as pH readings and thepercentage enamel surface hardness change. A dose-response evaluation was performed with chlorhexidine, which significantly affected the pH and mineral loss. Overall, the established model parameters, 5 days of biofilm growth with intermittent 1% sucrose exposure of 6 h per day, was suitable as a pre-clinical model for enamel demineralization and dose-response studies.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the undergraduate student Vinícius Mattiazzi (School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas– UFPel, Brazil), the laboratory technician Tatiana Ramos (Laboratory Center for Development and Control of Biomaterials – School of Dentistry, UFPel) and the statistician Ewald Bronkhorst (Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, The Netherlands). This study is based on the first author's Masters study (Graduate Program in Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry Area, School of Dentistry, UFPel). The first and second authors received scholarships during this study from CAPES – DS. The Brazilian Coordination of Training of Higher Education Graduate (CAPES PROCAD No. 251/2007) and PRODOC No. 420030/0-0 also supported this study.