Abstract

The oral cavity with plaque contained Streptococcus mutans and other bacteria considered to be the major aetiological agents of caries due to their presence in relatively high numbers in plaque, prior to the appearance of carious lesion and its ability to rapidly degrade carbohydrates and induce a tolerance to low level pH environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal effects of omega diode laser on S. mutans with intervals exposed time. S. mutansisolated from patients with high caries risk were exposed to different interval time (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 s) and then swabbed to the rabbit teeth. The bactericidal effect was shown in the exposure time of 15, 20 and 25 s without any curiosity sign on the rabbit teeth, the caries sign appeared on the low time exposed (5 and 10 s). A diode laser can eliminate the S. mutanswhen irradiated above 10 s.

Key words: Antimicrobial, diode laser, Streptococcus mutans, dental caries.