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The similarity of the microbiological flora of dental plaque collected from discrete contralateral sites on rat molar teeth

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Abstract

Streptococci, actinomycetes, actinobacilli, veillonellae, neisseriae, and lactobacilli were isolated from the anterior fissures of the second mandibular molar teeth of Sprague-Dawley rats. In individual animals, there were no great differences between the percentage bacterial composition of plaque collected from discrete sites on different sides of the same mouth. This bilateral similarity was apparent with each of four diets, irrespective of the cariogenicity of the diet. These findings indicate why the pattern of carious attack in rats is bilaterally symmetrical.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Experimental Unit, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Downe, Orpington, Kent, England

    D. Beighton

  2. Division of Hospital Infection, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale Avenue, NW9 5HT, London, England

    G. Colman

  3. Department of Conservative Dentistry, University of Melbourne, 711 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    W. A. McDougall

Authors
  1. D. Beighton
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  2. G. Colman
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  3. W. A. McDougall
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Beighton, D., Colman, G. & McDougall, W.A. The similarity of the microbiological flora of dental plaque collected from discrete contralateral sites on rat molar teeth. Current Microbiology 3, 75–78 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02602435

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02602435

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