Evaluation and comparison of streptococcus mutans and scardovia wiggsiae from the predentate to permanent dentition using polymerase chain reaction

Streptococcus mutans has been long associated with initiation of dental caries. Nevertheless, dental caries is also seen in its absence, indicating the role of another micro-organism.To evaluate and compare the presence of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Scardovia wiggsiae (S. wiggsiae) in children from predentate to permanent dentition period using polymerase chain reaction. 80 children aged between 0 to 14 yrs., were divided into 8 groups of 10 each. Unstimulated salivary samples were collected from children of predentate to permanent dentition period with and without dental caries, which served as experimental and control groups respectively. The samples were compared and evaluated for S. wiggsiae & S. mutans. 2ml of unstimulated saliva samples were collected in a sterile 50ml graduated container & swab method was used to collect saliva from infants below 6-months of age & swabs were placed in MTM medium & stored at 20° C followed by DNA extraction procedure. The present study showed that both S. mutans and S. wiggsiae were present in the predentate period & gradually increased upto mixed dentition period. However, both the organisms decreased in permanent dentition group. In primary, mixed & permanent dentition control groups, S. mutans counts was significantly greater than S. wiggsiae, whereas in the experimental group S. wiggsiae was significantly higher than S. mutans. S. mutans could be the commensal and S. wiggsiae could be the major etiological organism in progression of dental caries.