Profil Proporsi Streptococcus mutans pada Beberapa Lesi Karies dengan Tingkat Keparahan Berbeda

Dental caries is a common bacterial infectious disease that affects tooth structure, with Streptococcus mutans being associated with its severity. This study aimed to assess the distribution of S. mutans proportions across various levels of carious lesions as a potential prognostic factor. A post-test-only control group design was conducted on 33 patients registered at RSGM UMY who fulfilled the sample criteria with caries-free teeth, severe cavities, reversible pulpitis, and pulp necrosis. DNA samples were extracted and analyzed using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique and semi-quantitative densitometry analysis using Image-J. Statistical analysis was performed to compare S. mutans proportions across different lesion categories. The study found non-significant variations in S. mutans proportions (p>0.05) among the observed groups, with the highest population levels observed in the ICDAS V group (34.53±23.09), followed by the pulp necrosis group (24.41±15.48), reversible pulpitis group (11.14±1.36), and the caries-free teeth group (6.95±2.57). In contrast, the lowest proportions of the population were found in caries-free and reversible pulpitis conditions. Although S. mutans is associated with caries, its presence alone does not fully explain and correlate to the lesion severity.