Plaque Flashcards
What does plaque contain
Living and dead bacteria including extra cellular bacterial products and involves host compounds
What is plaque associated with
Hard and soft tissues
What is a biofilm
Community of microorganism associated with a surface
What are the properties of a typical biofilm
3D structure
Bacterial cells enclosed in extra cellular matrix
Increases habitat range for individual bacteria
How can adherence in the oral environment be difficult
Liquid flow
Diffusion
Movement
What is the acquired pellicle
The materials which accumulate immediately after a tooth is cleaned
What doe th acquired pellicle consist of
Mucins, salivary glycoproteins, mineral and immunoglobins
How can a pellicle be removed
Vigour is brushing with abrasive denitrification
What does bacteria directly attach to
The pellicle not the enamel
What does the enamel pellicle consist of
Acidic proline rich proteins Amylase Lysosomes Albumin Immunoglobins Glucans
What is the accumulation on the pellicle described as
Orderered
Pioneer –> climax
What changes can be made to the environment to affect the adhesion of bacteria to the pellicle
Aerobic/anaerobic pH Nutirents New attachment sites Co-aggregation
What property does extra cellular polymers have to have to attach to the pellicle
Adaptive response
What are the types of extra cellular polymers
Intracellular polysaccharides
Extra cellular polysaccharides
–> soluble and insoluble
–> glucans and fructans
What are adhesins
Molecules in th bacterial surface which are specific to Ligands on the tooth surface
Associated with fimbriae
What are lectins
Recognise carbohydrate groups and bind them associated with fimbriae
What are fimbriae
Pili like structures
Incorporate adhesins and lectins
Adhesion to enamel/pellicle and other bacteria
What is the overall formation pathway for plaque
Contact Adhesion Growth and metabolic activity Coaggregation Micoro colony formation Biofilm community Climax community
What is the main gram +ve constituent of plaque
S oralis
What do pioneer species do
Reduce Eh (redox potential) as they are anaerobic
What are some surfaces plaque forms on
Smooth tooth surfaces
Inter proximal surfaces
Pits and fissures
What are the two types of complexes in dental plaque
Corn cob - s.cocci
Test tube brush - gram -ve bacilli
After initial colonisation what are the two types of main plaque formed
Superagingival - influenced by saliva and food, aerobic and variable conditions
Sub gingival - influenced by GCF, anaerobic and constant conditions
What is calculus
Calcium and Phosphate ions supersaturated in saliva as crystals
What is plaque the general term for
Microbial community found on the tooth surface
