Effects of antibacterial microenvironment on in vitro plaque formation of Streptococcus mutans as observed by scanning electron microscopy.

This study presents in vitro techniques to follow the adsorption and subsequent surface proliferation of Streptococcus mutans on hydroxyapatite surfaces leading to artificial plaque. Inhibition of proliferation as well as extracellular dextrane formation can be achieved by pretreatments of the hydroxyapatite surface with aqueous solutions of sodium ricinoleate. The antibacterial activity is restricted to an antibacterial microenvironment adjacent to the hydroxyapatite surface.