Periodontitis: an archetypical biofilm disease.
BACKGROUND
Periodontitis is a classic example of biofilm-mediated diseases.


METHODS
The authors reviewed selected publications in English-language peer-reviewed journals with respect to microbial biofilms, focusing on representative works that provided a historical to a contemporary perspective on periodontal oral biofilms in the larger context of biofilm microbiology.


RESULTS
Developments in advanced microscopy and molecular microbiology have allowed scientists to examine and characterize microbial biofilm-mediated diseases, such as periodontitis, more accurately than in the past.


CONCLUSIONS
Periodontitis, like other biofilm infections, is refractory to antibiotic agents and host defenses because the causative microbes live in complex communities that persist despite challenges that range from targeted antibiotic agents to phagocytosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The regular delivery of nontargeted antibiofilm agents may be an effective strategy for treating biofilms, especially if these agents include oxidative agents that dissolve the biofilm matrix.
Schaudinn
Christoph
C
Center for Biofilms, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90089, USA.
Gorur
Amita
A
Keller
Duane
D
Sedghizadeh
Parish P
PP
Costerton
J William
JW
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D018441:Biofilms; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy; D008967:Molecular Biology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents