Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Adult Restorative > Dental Plaque > Flashcards

Dental Plaque Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of dental plaque

A

This is a general term for the complex microbial community embedded in a matrix of salivary and bacterial origin (biofilm) and found on the tooth surface

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

AY BAWS CAN I HABE DE NOTE PLZ

A

Bacteria gorwingin a biofilm are different to the same cells in a liquid phase/culture

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the general properties of a biofilm

A
  • Protection from desiccation, host defences/predators and antibiotics
  • Slow growth rate
  • Spatial and environmental heterogeneity - leads to metabolic interactions
  • Surface associated physical characteristics
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the micro-organisms in dental plaque more resistant to

A

They have a reduced sensitivity to chlorhexidine and antibiotics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the benefits of being an organism in a biofilm

A
  • Enzyme complementation/sharing
  • Food chains
  • Co-adhesion
  • Cell-cell signalling
  • Gene transfer
  • Environmental modifications
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the disadvantages of being an organism in a biofilm

A
  • Bacteriocin production
  • H2O2 production
  • Organic acid production/generation of inhibitory pH conditions
  • Bacteriophage release
  • Competition for essential nutrients
  • Predation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Where can you find dental plaque around and on a tooth

A

Fissure plaque - in between cusps
Approximate plaque- between teeth
Gingival crevice plaque - in the crevice between the enamel and gingiva - junctional epithelium?
Denture plaque

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the difference between plaque and calculus

A

Calculus is calcified plaque

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the first step of the development dental plaque

A
  • the acquired enamel pellicle forms almost immediately, complete 2 hours after cleaning
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the acquired pellicle made up of

A

Composed of proteins, lipids and glycoproteins from bacteria, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What can also be found in the acquired pellicle from bacteria and what do these act as

A

Glycosyl transferases
Glucans, Fructans
Bacterial cell fragments

These bacteria derived components act as receptors for bacterial adhesion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What can also be found in the acquired pellicle from the host and what do these act as

A

Acidic, proline rich proteins - promotes adherence of bacteria

  • Amylase
  • Lysozymes
  • Albumin
  • Immunoglobins
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the second stage of the development of the dental plaque

A

The pioneering species of bacteria will adhere to the acquired pellicle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How do bacteria attach to the pellicle/tooth surface

A
  • Passive transport of bacteria to the tooth surface
  • Attachment of bacteria to pellicle:
    Vt = Va + Vr
    Va = Van der Waals forces
    Vr = electrostatic repulsion between negatively charged bacterial cell and pellicle surface
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the name of the particles used by bacteria to attach to the tooth surface/pellicle

A

Adhesins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Name some receptors in the pellicle/tooth surface that bacteria adhere to

A

Salivary agglutinin (streptococci)
Glycoproteins (streptococci)
Glucan (Mutans streps)
Proline rich proteins (Actinomyces Naeslundii)

17
Q

Name some adhesins that bacteria use to bind to the tooth surface/pellicle

A

Protein antigens (Streptococci)
Lipoteichoic acid (streptococci)
Glucan binding protein (mutans streps)
Fimbrae (Actinomyces Naeslundii)

18
Q

What is the third stage of the development dental plaque

A

Pioneering species multiply and form a confluent layer

19
Q

What can bacteria start to do in the third stage of the development of dental plaque

A

Ability to utilise salivary glycoproteins via glycosidases
Ability to cleave IgA via IgA proteases

Also able to use bacterial polysaccharides

20
Q

What is co-aggregation in the third stage of development of dental plaque

A

Cell-Cell interactions leading to distinctly different bacterial species becoming predetermined partners in forming plaque

21
Q

Give some examples of species that co-aggregate

A

Strep. sanguinis or S. mitis with Actinomyces spps, Corynebacterium matruchotii or propionibacterium acnes

22
Q

What is co-adherence

A

Term sometimes used for cell-cell adhesive interaction on a surface rather than in suspension

23
Q

What happens in the 4 stage of dental plaque development

A

Accumulated bacterial growth leads to:

  • decreased oxygen tension
  • Eventual growth of anaerobic bacteria
  • Increased diversity
24
Q

What is the 5th stage of dental plaque development

A

Plaque maturity

25
Q

What are the main bacteria found on the in dental plaque during plaque maturity

A

Streptococci-15%
Actinomyces
Anaerobic rods and filaments increase

26
Q

What is accumulation of bacteria on the teeth a result of

A

A balance between adhesion, growth of bacteria and removal of bacteria via physical forces and plaque interactions/competitions

27
Q

Once the dental plaque has developed a microbial homeostasis what are the benefits to the bacteria

A
  • Enhanced catabolism of endogenous nutrients.
  • Protection from stressful environments
  • Organisms within the community can persist and grow over a wider habitat range.
  • Organisms can display synergy in the recycling of nutrients.
  • Metabolic efficiency of the community is increased.
28
Q

How can a small amount of dental plaque benefit us

A

Can prevent pathogenic species form entering and becoming established in the mouth

29
Q

How do the bacteria in plaque exclude exogenous organisms

A
  • Competition for adhesion receptor sites
  • Comepetition for nutrients and co factors
  • Production of inhibitory substances like acids and H2O2
30
Q

How does the host interact with the dental plaque

A

Immunity from lysozymes, lactoferrin and peroxidases interact with the plaque and inhibit its growth

31
Q

What does calculus consist of

A

Mineral deposits, protein and carbohydrates

from host and bacteria

32
Q

Where is calculus usually found

A

Can be supra gingival esp. near salivary ducts or subgingivally in association with dental plaque

33
Q

What does the porosity of calculus cause

A

Cause retention of bacterial antigens and may be involved with bone resorption

34
Q

How common is calculus

A

More than 80% of adults have it and increases with age - difficult to remove

35
Q

Name some Gram positive cocci found in dental plaque

A

Streptococcus
Staphylococcus
Abiotrphia
Peptostreptococcus

36
Q

Name some Gram negative cocci found in dental plaque

A

Neisseria

Veillonella

37
Q

Name some gram positive rods found in dental plaque

A 
Actinomyces
Eubacterium
Corynebacterium
Bifidobacterium
Lactobacillus
38
Q

Name some gram negative rods found in dental plaque

A 
Actinobacillus
Campylobacter
Capnocytophaga
Porphyromonas 
Wolinella
Treponema
39
Q

The stagnant sites in denture plaque build up what kind of bacteria

A

Streptococci and candida sp. - acidogenic

C. albicans

Adult Restorative (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions