title: What is the role of biofilms in severe head and neck infections?
abstract: Most infections of the head and neck and virtually all of those encountered in the practice of dentistry are caused by bacteria that are organized into biofilms. A biofilm is a complex, usually multispecies, highly communicative community of bacteria that is surrounded by a polymeric matrix. Treatment of these types of infections with traditional antibiotics alone is ineffective, and surgical removal of diseased tissue is still necessary.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 3302 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246, USA. mray@bcd.tamhsc.edu
authors: J Michael
authors: JM
authors: Ray
authors: R Gilbert
authors: RG
authors: Triplett
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D059266:Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw / Q000382:microbiology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D059013:Microbial Consortia / Q000502:physiology; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000382:microbiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*