Assessing & Monitoring Patient's Dental Biofilms

Question 1

How do disclosing agents work?

Answer 1

By changing the colour of the dental biofilm in order to provide a contrast with the tooth surface

Surfaces which are biofilm free can be easily rinsed off

Question 2

Why do biofilms have the capacity to retain large amounts of dye substances?

Answer 2

Because of interactions with biofilm components:

electrostatic interactions (proteins) & hydrogen bonds (polysaccharides) bind the particles together

Question 2

What are the advantages of disclosing agents for both the clinician & the patients?

Answer 2

look at slides

Question 2

Why is two tone a good dye to use as a disclosing agent?

Answer 2

Because it essentially stains early biofilm which is less than 3 days old with reddish pink and mature biofilm which is more than 3 days old with a blue colour

Pathogenic bacteria colonise dental plaque in the later stages of the dental plaque formation

Question 3

What is the plaque index (Silness & Loe, 1964)?

Answer 3

A qualitative plaque index because it measures the amount of dental plaque

3= Thick plaque is visible along the gingival margin (no need to probe)

2= Plaque is visible along gingival margin, with or without air drying (no need to probe)

1= Following air drying, plaque is not visible but can be wiped off with an explorer

0= Following air drying, plaque is not visible nor cannot be wiped off with an explorer

Question 3

What dyes are commonly used as disclosing agents?

Answer 3

Iodine, mercurochrome, Bismark brown, merbromin, erythrosine, fast green , fluorescein, two tone, fuchsin

Question 3

What is the O’Leary plaque index?

Answer 3

You only measure if plaque is present or not (by yes or no), it’s not qualitative

You measure the buccal, palatal & proximal surfaces

look at the slides