Biofilm Flashcards
what causes dental caries and periodontal disease?
- microorganisms in dental (microbial) biofilm
what must be examined during clinical examination and assessment of the teeth and surrounding structures? why do we do this?
- soft and hard deposits must be examined closely so that a care plan can be established based on the individual needs of the patient
what are the 3 types of calculus we might feel on patient’s teeth?
- granular
- spicules
- ledges
what do soft deposits include?
- acquired pellicle
- dental biofilm (plaque)
- materia alba
- food debris
- these are all different and the terms are not interchangeable
what are hard deposits?
- the hard, calcified deposits on teeth are termed dental calculus (tartar).
what is acquired pellicle?
- amorphous, acellular, organic structure that forms over exposed tooth surfaces, restorations and calculus
- thickness varies from 0.1 to 0.8 microns and is usually greater near the gingival margin
when is acquired pellicle formed? what is it?
- formation starts immediately after all the tooth surfaces have been cleaned
- made up of glycoproteins from the saliva that are:
- selectively adsorbed by the hydroxyappetite of the enamel
- forms a clear coating over the teeth for microorganisms to adhere to
- clear coating is highly solluble
what are the 3 types of pellicles?
1 - surface pellicle, unstained (translucent)
2 - surface pellicle, stained (can acquire stain)
3 - subsurface pellicle (embedded in demineralized areas)
what is the purpose of pellicle?
1 - protective: provides a barrier against acids - may aid in caries reduction
2 - lubrication: provides moisture and prevents drying
3 - nidus (point of origin) for bacteria: aids in adherence of bacteria
4 - attachment of calculus: pellicle is one mode of adherence of calculus to teeth and restorations
what is biofilm?
- dense
- nonmineralized
- complex mass of colonies in a gel-like intermicrobial matrix
Adheres firmly to acquired pellicle and hence to the teeth, calculus, restorations, both fixed and removable (ie. dentures) even to the gingiva
what are the 5 steps in the formation of biofilm?
1 - formation of a pellicle 2 - bacteria attach to the pellicle 3 - bacterial multiplication and colonization 4 - biofilm growth and maturation 5 - matrix formation
what is the intermicrobial matrix mainly derived from?
- saliva from supragingival deposits
- sulcular (crevicular) fluid and exudate in subgingival deposits
- produced by certain bacteria from dietary sucrose
What are the other components of the intermicrobial substances?
- polysaccarides, glucans, fructans and levans
- polysaccarides are sticky and provide the adherence of the biofilm to the teeth
what increases as the numbers of microorganisms increases?
- the probability of developing caries
what types of bacteria/microorganisms are present during days 1 to 2 of biofilm development?
- gram positive cocci
what types of bacteria/microorganisms are present during days 2 to 4 of biofilm development?
- cocci still dominant
- increasing numbers of gram positive filamentous forms and rods may be present on the cocci colonies
what types of bacteria/microorganisms are present during days 4-7 of biofilm development?
- filaments increase in number, more rods and fusobacteria appear
- gingival margin thickens with gram negative spirochetes and vibrios appearing
- coronally spread bacteria contain the cocci forms
what types of bacteria/microorganisms are present during days 7 to 14 of biofilm development?
- vibrios and spirochetes appear
- with maturation, the more gram negative and anaerobic organisms appear
- inflammation is now observable in the gingival tissues