Microbiome shift after combined non-invasive and invasive treatment for dental caries

Dental caries is a result of dysbiosis of the oral microbiome induced by diet. Longitudinal studies evaluating changes in the microbiome after caries treatment, particularly when the diet and sugar intake are controlled, and scarce. The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess the effect of caries treatment on the composition and diversity of the oral microbiome. Two groups of volunteers (Residents and Visitors) from an institute of education were assessed for caries prevalence and extent (number of affected teeth) using the CAST index. The participants with caries activity received invasive (when necessary) and non-invasive treatments. Saliva samples were collected for microbiological analysis (16SrRNA sequencing) at baseline, 1 month (M1) and 6 months (M6) after treatment.