Dental plaque formation.
Dental plaque is a complex biofilm that accumulates on the hard tissues (teeth) in the oral cavity. Although over 500 bacterial species comprise plaque, colonization follows a regimented pattern with adhesion of initial colonizers to the enamel salivary pellicle followed by secondary colonization through interbacterial adhesion. A variety of adhesins and molecular interactions underlie these adhesive interactions and contribute to plaque development and ultimately to diseases such as caries and periodontal disease.
Rosan
B
B
Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Lamont
R J
RJ
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D044622:Dental Pellicle; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000502:physiology; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000502:physiology
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial