Clinical effectiveness of fluoride-releasing elastomers. I: Salivary Streptococcus mutans numbers

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of fluoride-releasing elastomers on salivary Streptococcus mutans numbers. Twenty-four patients with fixed orthodontic appliances were randomly divided into experimental and control groups consisting of 12 patients each. Conventional elastomers were in place while two baseline whole saliva samples were collected from each subject in both groups at their regular appointments. After the second baseline sample was taken, conventional elastomers were replaced with fluoride-releasing elastomers in the experimental group, whereas conventional elastomers were continued in the control group. Three saliva samples were then collected from all subjects at 1-week intervals. Conventional elastomers were placed in all subjects while two postexperimental saliva samples were collected at regular appointments. Results showed that the control group demonstrated no significant changes (p > 0.05) in the percentage of S. mutans over the 13-week study period. However, after the fluoride-releasing elastomers were placed, the percent of salivary S. mutans decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the experimental group. There was no significant effect after the fluoride-releasing elastomers were in place for 2 or more weeks.