Perio Microbiology 4: Specificity and Hypothesis

Question 1

What is the basis of the nonspecific plaque hypothesis?

Answer 1

Small amounts of plaque can be handled by the immune system; but large amounts overwhelm host defenses.

Quantity

Question 2

What fact throws a wrench in this nonspecific theory?

Answer 2

There are some people with lots of plaque and no periodontal disease

Question 3

What is the basis of the specific plaque hyposthesis?

Answer 3

That because there are less than 20 species of bacteria found in perio pockets (in increased proportions) only certain bacteria cause periodontitis.

Quality

Question 4

What fact throws a wrench in the specific theory?

Answer 4

Almost all pathogenic bacteria are found in the healthy adult microbiota

Question 5

What is the Ecological plaque hypothesis theory?

Answer 5

It combines quantity and quality.
Dysbiosis means the resident microbiota is dynamic and shifting.
Many factors affect the balance of the ecosystem.

Question 6

Supragingingivally what bacterial species is an indicator for Perio disease susceptibility?

Answer 6

Actinomyces

Question 7

In healthy periodontium, what do we know about the proportion of Actinomyces?

Answer 7

It makes up over 50% of the microflora

Question 8

In people with perio disease what is the percentage of Actinomyces?

Answer 8

Less than 50%

Question 9

Subgingivally what is important to know about the percent of bacteria?

Answer 9

The red complex percentage significantly increases in the diseases microflora

Question 10

In general what type of bacteria do you see more of in a diseased patient?

Answer 10

Gram -

Anaerobic

Question 11

What are the G+ Species present in health?

Answer 11

Actinomyces

Streptococcus