Comparison between a micromethod and a conventional method for estimation of salivary Streptococcus mutans

Two methods for estimating the number of S. mutans in 501 paraffin-wax stimulated whole saliva samples were compared. A highly significant correlation was found between the results of a micropipette method and conventional agar plating. The micropipette method is simple, reliable and economical and is a suitable alternative to conventional plating for determination of the S. mutans infection level.