Figure 6

Correlation of viable S. mutans cell number in saliva with viable S. mutans cell number in (A) dental plaque from caries-free patients (n=24) and (B) carious dentin (n=21) as assessed by PMA-qPCR. All data were calculated three times, and the mean values were plotted. X = log₁₀x, where x is the viable cell number in dental plaque (A) or carious dentin (B). Y = log₁₀y, where y is the viable cell number in saliva.