Oral Plaque Biofilms
Abstract
Dental plaque is a structured resilient, grayish-yellow structure that tenaciously adheres to the intra oral hard surfaces including removable and fixed restorations
Dental plaque is also the term commonly used for the biofilm formed on teeth surfaces.
Biofilms are defined as matrix embedded microbial populations, that develops on teeth immediately following cleaning of the teeth and directly influences the pattern of initial microbial colonisation.
Plaque mainly comprises of bacteria, which are suspended in a matrix consisting of salivary glycoproteins and polysaccharides. This matrix gives it the ability to attach firmly to the tooth surfaces making it difficult to remove by rinsing or with the help of sprays. It is invisible to the naked eye and visualisation is possible only with the help of disclosing solutions.
The dental plaque was considered to have similar structure as a biofilm.