Effect of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment on Streptococcus mutans Count in Saliva of Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Oral environment stabilization (OES) procedure in literature includes filling of the carious lesions & extraction of effected teeth. This study was aimed to observe the effects of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) on Streptococcus mutans count in saliva of pregnant women.
Methods: A total of 64 pregnant women diagnosed with at least 3 untreated carious teeth were enrolled and randomly allocated in to study and control groups. Saliva samples were taken from both study and control groups at baseline and follow-up visits.
Results: ART was given to the study group only and a statistically significant reduction was found in Salivary streptococcus mutans count (p<0.001) after this treatment in the study group when compared with the controls.
Conclusion: ART is an effective intervention and oral environment stabilization procedure in reducing salivary streptococcus mutans count in pregnant women that will also minimize the vertical transmission.

Keywords | ART, Streptococcus Mutans, Dental Caries, Pregnancy