title: Colonization of the cementum surface of teeth by oral Gram-negative bacteria.
abstract: By using in vitro assays, a group of related, filamentous gram-negative bacteria isolated from subgingival plaque deposits of patients with periodontal disease were found to colonize intact teeth. Tentatively identified as members of the genus Cytophaga, these isolates exhibited a preference for colonizing the cementum surface of the root. Examination of intact teeth after several weeks of colonization revealed that the root substructure had been extensively demineralized.
mesh_terms: D003470:Culture Media; D003589:Cytophaga / Q000254:growth & development*; D003649:Decalcification, Pathologic; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000382:microbiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000254:growth & development; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media