Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

School of Dentistry

Department

Not Listed

Committee Chair

Carol Spear.

Abstract

Results of evaluating chemotherapeutic effectiveness have focused on planktonic, two-dimensional bacterial existence. Biofilms exist as three-dimensional structures which shelter bacteria deep within. Current research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of various chemotherapeutics against bacteria residing inside of a biofilm. In order to do so, this study evaluated the effectiveness of four common chemotherapeutics (cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorine dioxide, and essential oils) against four bacteria (S. mutans, S. sobrinus, F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis) in both planktonic and biofilm modeled culture media. Data was obtained through the measurement of zones of inhibition (ZOI) surrounding test discs placed on experimental plates. ZOI comparisons were made across culture media types and between chemotherapeutics within culture plates. F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis data were excluded from this study, because F. nucleatum was unable to be amplified while the P. gingivalis Poloxamer F127 plate presented with an unreadable media surface. Chemotherapeutic effectiveness across culture media for both S. mutans and S. sobrinus produced significant differences in resultant ZOI formation. Only CHX 100% and CPC 100% were classified as effective agents against both bacteria across both brucella blood agar and Poloxamer F127 media.

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