title: The microbiology of periodontal disease.
abstract: Periodontal disease result from mixed bacterial infections, in which both host resistance barriers and bacterial interactions are important. Approximately ten bacterial species are strongly implicated with various forms of periodontal disease, although species that cannot yet be cultivated are likely also to be relevant. New technologies have shown that pathogenic bacterial species are present in defined complexes within subgingival plaque, thus identifying specific targets for therapeutic intervention. In light of increasing antibiotic resistance amongst oral bacteria, new strategies for control of periodontal bacterial complexes must be developed that inhibit the bacterial factors necessary for colonization and destruction of host tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol Dental Hospital and School.
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Jenkinson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dymock
mesh_terms: D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial