Efficacy of Propolis Varnish Against Oral Biofilm

Overview

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a varnish containing 15% of green propolis on Streptococcus mutans in saliva and biofilm. Will be invited to join the study: children 8-10 years old, free of caries, without orthodontic appliances and without having undergone antibiotic therapy until three weeks before the start of the study. Saliva will be collected before, immediately after, 24 hours and 30 days after application of the varnish. The collection of biofilm will be performed before, after, 24 hours and 30 days after application of the varnish. Data will be collected and compared between periods.

Antimicrobials are substances used in dentistry as an efficient way of caries prevention. Substances such as chlorhexidine are the most known and most applied for this purpose and, as a varnish, increased its anticariogenic potential. The antimicrobial effects of natural substances are being studied for exhibiting antimicrobial properties similar to those of chlorhexidine, but less toxic in some cases. Several studies with propolis has proven its efficacy against several microorganisms of the oral cavity, specially Streptococcus mutans. A pharmaceutical formulation containing brazilian green propolis was developed based on the chitosan polymer that is biocompatible and biodegradable. In a previous study, we observed in vitro antimicrobial properties of the varnish against Streptococcus mutans. This work aims to study the preliminary evidence of the efficacy of the propolis dental varnish in reducing Streptococcus mutans in saliva and in the biofilm control through a phase II study involving patients with 8-10 years. After 30 days, the results will be compared and statistically analyzed at a level of significance of 5 % .