Association of Actinomyces Species in Patients with Black Chromogenic Stains on the Teeth: A Microbiologic Study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Black stains associated with chromogenic bacteria is a matter of concern for the present day  dental practioners. There are conflicting evidence on the association of various bacteria with black chromogenic stains .

OBJECTIVE:The aim of the present study is to determine the association of Actinomyces species in patients with black chromogenic stains.

METHODOLOGY: Subjects of 18-40 years were selected.Test group included 40 patients with  black  stains  and control group included 40 patients without  any stains. Supragingival plaque samples were collected from both the groups  using sterile paper  points  from the cervical  third of the tooth surface.The  bacterial culture were grown in petridishes at suitable conditions. The number of  Colony forming units (CFU), were calculated  in the culture plates for  both the groups. Smears were prepared  from  the bacterial  colonies  and stained using gram staining. Photomicrographs were taken.

RESULTS:Yellowish white  small and large spherical colonies were observed.  More  number of gram positive filamentous organisms  were  observed in the smears obtained from patients  with chromogenic stains. The larger colonies were that of Actinomyces  species and smaller spherical colonies were that of streptocooci. The number of actinomyces colonies were found  to be more in the samples collected from patients with stains as compared to others.

CONCLUSION: The results of the present study  confirms the possible role of Actinomyces  as a chromogenic bacteria in formation  of black stains. The present study also concludes that black chromogenic stains can  be associated with patients with good oral hygiene with  lower plaque scores .