Dental caries vaccines: science and status.

Dental caries, caused by the etiologic agent Streptococcus mutans, is considered the most common human infectious disease. Development of a vaccine has been under investigation for more than 25 years. Possible approaches include immunizing patients using an oral vaccine containing components of the causative bacterium and by intramuscular injection. Although both approaches have proved promising, several considerations have delayed further development of a vaccine. This article reviews the scientific results and status of the various vaccines.