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Plaque biofilm in periodontitis: past, present and future Maryam Alshamsi Emily Ming-Chieh Lu Dental Update 2025 52:5, 332-338.
Authors
MaryamAlshamsi
BDS, MClinDent Perio, EFP Board Certified, Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London.
BDS, MClinDent Perio, EFP Board Certified, Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London.
Periodontitis is caused by an inappropriate activation of the host response to plaque biofilm. The accumulation of plaque biofilm leads to dysbiosis, that is, an imbalance in microbial community composition and function, which drives tissue destruction. Historical plaque hypotheses provide a foundational understanding of the role of plaque in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. More contemporary theories emphasize how dysbiosis can trigger an exaggerated host response, leading to tissue destruction and periodontitis. As periodontitis is a biofilm-related disease, clinicians should be aware of the importance of regular mechanical disruption of plaque biofilm in managing periodontitis.
CPD/Clinical Relevance:
Practitioners should aware of the importance of regular professional mechanical plaque removal, which is integral to the overall management of periodontal disease.
Article
In the complex ecosystem of the human body, a diverse array of micro-organisms inhabits various anatomical regions, including the skin, respiratory tract, urogenital tract and gastrointestinal tract, which includes the oral cavity. Collectively known as the microbiota, these micro-organisms play a crucial role in maintaining health through their interactions with the immune system.1
The oral microbiota accounts for a significant component of the human microbiota, comprising more than 700 distinct species, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa. The oral cavity hosts the second most diverse microbiota in the human body.2
These micro-organisms inhabit specific micro-environments within the oral cavity, such as the teeth, gingival sulcus, tongue, hard and soft palates, and tonsils. Each of these niches has a unique local environment that drives the composition and behaviour of the microbial communities, allowing them to exist either in a planktonic form or as components of complex polymicrobial biofilms, such as plaque biofilm.
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