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Questions and Answers
What is the primary component of dental plaque?
Which inorganic element is found at higher levels in the mandibular lingual area?
What factor does NOT significantly influence plaque accumulation?
Which of the following contributes to the organic composition of dental plaque?
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What is a characteristic that leads to better bacterial affinity in plaque formation?
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What primarily composes the acquired pellicle?
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What is the initial step in the sequence of plaque formation?
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Which bacteria are thought to initiate gingivitis?
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What characterizes the composition of materia alba?
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What is the role of the acquired pellicle in relation to bacteria?
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What happens to the plaque as it matures on the tooth surface?
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What substances are part of the matrix that binds bacterial colonies together?
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What is a visible characteristic of dental plaque at its initial stage?
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What is the predominant type of microorganism present in plaque formation during the initial phase (Day 1-2)?
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What happens to the composition of plaque during Days 4-7?
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What microorganisms are evident in older plaque during the Days 14-21 phase?
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What is the primary role of supragingival plaque?
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What type of microorganisms are predominantly found in attached subgingival plaque?
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How does salivary flow influence plaque formation?
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What is the primary difference between supragingival and subgingival plaque?
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During the first 5 days of plaque formation, what is the significance of the changes that occur?
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Study Notes
Dental Biofilm
- A complex mass of bacteria in a gel-like matrix
- Non-mineralized
- Over 10 billion bacteria per milligram of plaque
Plaque Formation
- Pellicle formation: A thin layer of salivary proteins on teeth
- Bacterial attachment: Bacteria attach to the pellicle
- Bacterial multiplication: Bacteria grow and form colonies
- Matrix formation: binds colonies together
Clinical Appearance
- Initially transparent
- Dull matte appearance
- Disclosing solution reveals plaque
- The darker the color, the denser the plaque
Microbial Changes
- Early plaque: Mainly gram-positive aerobic bacteria like Streptococcus mutans, sanguis, and Actinomyces viscosus
- Days 2-4: Filamentous forms start to replace cocci
- Days 4-7: Filamentous, rods, and fusobacteria increase, vibrios and spirochetes arrive
- Days 7-14: Vibrios, spirochetes, and white blood cells increase, gram-negative anaerobes arrive.
- Days 14-21: Gingivitis is evident Vibrios, spirochetes, cocci, and filaments evident in older plaque
Stages of Plaque Formation
- Stage 1: Pellicle formation
- Stage 2: Bacteria attach to pellicle
- Stage 3: Mature plaque
Factors Affecting Plaque Removal
- 3-day-old plaque: Requires three times the pressure to remove than newer plaque.
- Home care: Salivary flow, muscular action, and oral hygiene habits all impact plaque removal
Supragingival Plaque
- Forms at the gingival margin and moves coronally
- Thickest at proximal surfaces, cervical third, pits, and fissures
- Etiological factor in gingivitis, supragingival calculus, and dental caries
Subgingival Plaque
- Attached: Extends from supragingival plaque, provides a basis for calculus formation and root caries
- Unattached: Composed of highly motile gram-negative organisms in crevicular fluid; destroys epithelial attachment
Plaque Composition
- 20% organic and inorganic solids: 70-80% are microorganisms, more in subgingival than supragingival
- 80% Water
Organic Elements of Plaque
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins (from saliva or crevicular fluid)
- Lipids (in small quantities)
Inorganic Elements of Plaque
- Calcium and Phosphorus
- Fluoride (higher in consumers of fluoridated water)
Factors Influencing Plaque Accumulation
- Malposed or crowded teeth
- Orthodontic appliances
- Rough tooth surfaces
- Poorly contoured restorations
- Dental calculus
- Teeth not used for mastication
- Deep periodontal pockets
- Mouth breathing
- Tobacco use
- Certain medications
- Areas of carious lesions
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Description
Explore the intricate processes of dental biofilm formation and its clinical implications. This quiz covers key stages of plaque development, microbial changes, and the clinical appearance of dental plaque. Test your knowledge on the biology behind oral health and disease.
