LAUSR

OBJECTIVE Two factors for secondary caries formation were evaluated using an artificial biofilm model, saliva as additive in culture medium and bonding procedures of composite materials for artificial gap creation. DESIGN Standardized cavities were prepared in bovine tooth samples (n = 44), treated with two different bonding pretreatments, restored and after artificial ageing incubated with Streptococcus mutans in a Mueller-Hinton-Broth-Sugar medium with or without human saliva for seven days. Secondary caries formation was analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and transversal microradiography. RESULTS Lesions were significantly pronounced in groups using saliva, but were not influenced by the bonding pretreatments. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the addition of saliva, but not the type of bonding procedure influences the outcome in the present biofilm-based secondary caries model.