The bacteriological and pathological study of sealant sealing therapy of root caries

Objective: To investigate the cariostatic effect of sealants sealed on human root caries. Methods: Samples of root caries dentin were taken from root caries teeth that were not sealed (at baseline) and were sealed up for six months. Bacteria of these samples were cultured and counted. Root caries lesions were examined histopathologically in extracted human teeth that were sealed by sealants and glass polyalkenoate cement. Results: Significant decline of total cultivatable bacteria and survival of specific cariogenic bacteria was found in 17 active root caries samples sealed with sealants for six months in contrast with the baseline (P0.0001). Pathologic study confirmed that active root caries became inactive when they were sealed after 1 year. Furthermore, the formation of remineralization zone beneath the sealants was investigated by polarized light microscope. Conclusion: For root caries we confirmed that active root caries can become inactive. The therapy can serve as a new method for the root surface caries prevention and therapy in the aged.