Microscopy

Question 1

Pros of fluorescent microscopy

Answer 1

rapid, relatively inexpensive.

Question 2

Cons of fluorescent microscopy

Answer 2

wide variation in results, not a sole diagnostic indicator, not used for monitoring sites for activity bursts.

Question 3

What does a healthy site look like?

Answer 3

1. 24-48 hours old.
2. scanty and cells well dispersed
3. mainly coccoid, some rods
4. no motility
5. desquamated epithelial cells
6. neutrophils may be visible.

Question 4

What bacteria are normally present in a healthy site?

Answer 4

Actinomyoces, Streptococci.

Question 5

What does a gingivitis site look like?

Answer 5

Dense cells, periphery with monolayer, cocci, short rods, filamentous cells, clusters of motile rods.

Question 6

Give an example of filamentous bacterial cells

Answer 6

F. nucleatum.

Question 7

What does an active periodontitis site look like?

Answer 7

Mainly motile plaque.
Similar to gingivitis but higher % of motile and spirochaetes.
Epithelial cell debris.
Neutrophils may be observable and degranulating.

Question 8

Describe microscopy method sampling.

Answer 8

1. Wet plaque sample from pocket with sterile curette.
2. Mix with BacLight reagent.
3. Live bacteria = green. Sytox Green.
4. Dead bacteria = dull red. Propidium Iodide.