title: Significance of biofilms in dentistry.
abstract: In the past decades significant scientific progress has taken place in the knowledge about biofilms. They constitute multilayer conglomerates of bacteria and fungi, surrounded by carbohydrates which they produce, as well as substances derived from saliva and gingival fluid. Modern techniques showed significant diversity of the biofilm environment and a system of microbial communication (quorum sensing), enhancing their survival. At present it is believed that the majority of infections, particularly chronic with exacerbations, are a result of biofilm formation, particularly in the presence of biomaterials. It should be emphasised that penetration of antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents into deeper layers of a biofilm is poor, causing therapeutic problems and necessitating sometimes removal of the implant or prosthesis. Biofilms play an increasing role in dentistry as a result of more and more broad use in dental practice of plastic and implantable materials. Biofilms are produced on the surfaces of teeth as dental plaque, in the para-nasal sinuses, on prostheses, dental implants, as well as in waterlines of a dental unit, constituting a particular risk for severely immunocompromised patients. New methods of therapy and prevention of infections linked to biofilms are under development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Medical University of Warsaw.|Department of Microbiology, Central Clinical Hospital in Warsaw.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wróblewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Comprehensive Dental Care, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Medical University of Warsaw.
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Strużycka
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Medical University of Warsaw.
authors.forename: Elżbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mierzwińska-Nastalska
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003748:Dental Equipment / Q000382:microbiology; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000382:microbiology*; D003764:Dental Materials; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials