Effect of Periodontal Disease-associated Bacteria on the Formation of Dental Calculus: An In Vitro Study

Aim: To investigate whether bacteria that play a major role in periodontal disease pathology and in the formation of dental plaque also affect the formation of dental calculus, which is a predisposing factor for the initiation and progression of periodontal diseases. Materials and Methods: This was an in vitro study, and cultures of bacteria were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection and Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Atatürk University. Young cultures of bacteria of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Streptococcus sanguinis (S. sanguinis), Streptococcus gordonii (S. gordonii), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum), and Corynebacterium matruchotii (C. matruchotii) were prepared in media containing their specific enriching factors. B2 solid, B4 solid, and B2 liquid media were used to determine active calcification, whereas the mineral salt basal (MSB) medium was used to observe passive calcification. Calcification in the media was measured under light microscopy and in MSB using a spectrophotometer and was recorded as the percent transmittance. Results: S. mutans, S. sanguinis, and S. gordonii showed calcification in the B2 medium. S. mutans, S. sanguinis, S. gordonii, and C. matruchotii demonstrated calcification in MSB. A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, and F. nucleatum did not show any calcification. Conclusions: It was concluded that streptococci present in dental plaque take part in the formation of dental calculus, whereas periodontopathogens have no role in the formation of dental calculus.