Dental Plaque Flashcards
What is the definition of dental plaque
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
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Bacteria gorwingin a biofilm are different to the same cells in a liquid phase/culture
What are the general properties of a biofilm
- Protection from desiccation, host defences/predators and antibiotics
- Slow growth rate
- Spatial and environmental heterogeneity - leads to metabolic interactions
- Surface associated physical characteristics
What are the micro-organisms in dental plaque more resistant to
They have a reduced sensitivity to chlorhexidine and antibiotics
What are the benefits of being an organism in a biofilm
- Enzyme complementation/sharing
- Food chains
- Co-adhesion
- Cell-cell signalling
- Gene transfer
- Environmental modifications
What are the disadvantages of being an organism in a biofilm
- Bacteriocin production
- H2O2 production
- Organic acid production/generation of inhibitory pH conditions
- Bacteriophage release
- Competition for essential nutrients
- Predation
Where can you find dental plaque around and on a tooth
Fissure plaque - in between cusps
Approximate plaque- between teeth
Gingival crevice plaque - in the crevice between the enamel and gingiva - junctional epithelium?
Denture plaque
What is the difference between plaque and calculus
Calculus is calcified plaque
What is the first step of the development dental plaque
- the acquired enamel pellicle forms almost immediately, complete 2 hours after cleaning
What is the acquired pellicle made up of
Composed of proteins, lipids and glycoproteins from bacteria, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid
What can also be found in the acquired pellicle from bacteria and what do these act as
Glycosyl transferases
Glucans, Fructans
Bacterial cell fragments
These bacteria derived components act as receptors for bacterial adhesion
What can also be found in the acquired pellicle from the host and what do these act as
Acidic, proline rich proteins - promotes adherence of bacteria
- Amylase
- Lysozymes
- Albumin
- Immunoglobins
What is the second stage of the development of the dental plaque
The pioneering species of bacteria will adhere to the acquired pellicle
How do bacteria attach to the pellicle/tooth surface
- 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
What is the name of the particles used by bacteria to attach to the tooth surface/pellicle
Adhesins