78 Dorelia Lucia Cãlin, L.L. Frâncu Revista Românã de Anatomie funcþionalã ºi clinicã, macro- ºi microscopicã ºi de Antropologie Vol. X - Nr. 1 - 2011 CLINICAL ANATOMY MONITORING OF MUTANS STREPTOCOCCI IN DENTAL PLAQUE AND SALIVA AFTER RESTAURATIVE TREATMENT Dorelia Lucia Cãlin 1 , L.L. Frâncu 2 1. Discipline of Cariology and Restorative Odontotherapy 2. Discipline of Anatomy University of Medicine ºi Pharmacy Gr. T. Popa Iaºi MONITORING OF MUTANS STREPTOCOCCI IN DENTAL PLAQUE AND SALIVA AFTER RESTAURATIVE TREATMENT (Abstract): The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of traditional restorative treatment on Streptococcus mutans oral populations. Evaluation of mutans streptococci number was made on 20 patients, using a commercially available evaluation kit called Dentocult SM (Orion Diagnostica, Epsoo, Finland). The samples were collected both in plaque and saliva, the test results were evaluated according to the manufacturers instructions. The results indicate that a successful restorative treatment does not reduce the number of mutans streptococci in the oral cavity. The density of Streptococcus mutans in saliva is lower than that of the dental plaque. In conclusion, we insist on the comprehensive treatment of dental caries that must be addressed also to the nature of this infectious disease. Key words: DENTAL PLAQUE, SALIVA, STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS, RESTORATIVE TREATMENT INTRODUCTION Dental caries is a complex infectious and transmissible disease (1), resulting from the interaction of several factors including the host, agent, substrate and time. The carious lesions develop in a certain period of time and, in essence, are the result of dynamic and complex interactions between cariogenic bacteria and host defenses. Current concepts on pathogenesis of dental caries are centralized on the fermen- tation of carbohydrates by the cariogenic bac- teria in plaque with the production of acids that dissolve the susceptible mineral structure of the tooth. Modern concepts consider dental caries as an interaction between genetic and environ- mental factors, in which social, biological, psy- chological and behavioral factors are expressed in a complex interactive manner (2). Microorganisms play an important role in the development and progression of caries. Usually, the bacteria in the oral cavity are in equilibrium. The risk of caries increases if the number of certain bacteria (str mutans, lactobacilli) increases substantially, while protective factors do not function normally. The most cariogenic bacteria proved to be streptococci group, par- ticularly S. mutans and S. sobrinus (3). Mutans streptococci are considered signi- ficant determinants for plaque cariogenicity (1) and were mainly associated with the initial development of caries, while lactobacilli with the subsequent development of caries. Microorganisms are usually first detected when deciduous teeth erupt into the oral cavity (1), that usually occurs at age 6-10 months (4). Usually, oral cavity colonization by mutans streptococci is the result of transmission of these organisms from mother to child (5). In addition, it is considered that the pre- valence of colonization with mutans strepto- cocci increases with age and the number of erupted teeth in the oral cavity (6). Carious activity is a component of diagnosis derived from past experience, lesion progression and clinical appearance of lesions or cavities and is evaluated based on data obtained by clinical examination and detection of factors associated with the disease pathogenesis. These data are collected by visual inspection and pro- bing or by some objective detection methods which rely on mineral changes (7).