Study of the ultrastructure of Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans incubated with salivary antimicrobial peptides.

This study demonstrated that salivary peptides exert antibacterial activity and induce morphological damage on E. faecalis and S. mutans. Knowledge on the ultrastructural damage inflicted by salivary antimicrobial peptides on two important bacteria causing dental caries and root canal infections could aid the design of new therapeutic approaches to facilitate the elimination of these bacteria.