Mechanisms of Periodontal Disease

Question 1

what is the primary cause of the destruction seen in periodontitist?

Answer 1

the body’s immune response to plaque biofilm

Question 2

what activates the body’s immune system?

Answer 2

periodontal pathogens in the biofilm

Question 3

what causes most of the damage?

Answer 3

inflammation

Question 4

what are virulence factors?

Answer 4

mechanisms that enable the bacteria to colonize and invade the tissues of the periodontium

Question 5

what are the two types of virulence factors

Answer 5

1. bacteria characteristics

2. products produced by the bacteria

Question 6

bacterial invasion factors allow bacterium to actively penetrate _____ of the pocket wall and enter the gingival connective tissue

Answer 6

epithelial lining

Question 7

what is the key factor that differentiates pathogenic from non-pathogenic bacteria?

Answer 7

ability to penetrate or invade

Question 8

what cells lock on to the peptides and alert the body’s immune system of the bacterial invaders

Answer 8

T-cells

Question 9

what are exotoxins?

Answer 9

harmful proteins released from the bacterial cell

Question 10

what are enzymes?

Answer 10

agents that are harmful to the body’s cell

Question 11

what are biofilm bacteria extremely resistant to?

Answer 11

antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, and the body’s immune system

Question 12

what protects from drugs and the body’s leukocytes?

Answer 12

extracellular slime layer

Question 13

bacteria in the deepest layers of the biofilm become ______ because antibiotics only work on bacteria that are active

Answer 13

dormant

Question 14

how is control of bacteria in dental plaque best achieved by?

Answer 14

physical destruction such as brushing your teeth, and hygienist instruments

Question 15

what can subgingival biofilm be associated with?

Answer 15

tooth-associated or tissue-associated

Question 16

what are the 4 types of soft deposits

Answer 16

1. materia alba
2. food debris
3. plaque composition
4. acquired pellicle

Question 17

materia alba: features, how is it removed, factor with perio disease, what is seen under it

Answer 17

• bulky and has a cottage cheese appearance
• easily visible
• removed by vigorous rinsing
• not a major factor in perio disease, but plaque is
• caries are seen under materia alba

Question 18

Food debris: features, how is it removed, accumulated where at in the mouth

Answer 18

• loosely attached matter, food particles
• accumulation in embrasures, and around ortho bands
• removal by floss or other adjuncts
• provides favorable environment for plaque growth

Question 19

what percent of water is plaque made of?

Answer 19

80%

Question 20

if bacteria want to join a biofilm, it should look for what conditions?

Answer 20

a group of bacteria attached to the tooth surface

Question 21

T/F: bacteria are necessary but not capable of causing perio

Answer 21

true

Question 22

what is the predominant organism in periodontitist

Answer 22

gram negative anerobic rods