Dental pellicle

Dental pellicle is a protein film that forms on the surface enamel by selective binding of glycoproteins from saliva that prevents continuous deposition of salivary calcium phosphate. It forms in seconds after a tooth is cleaned. It is also protective to the tooth from the acids produced by oral microorganisms after consuming the available carbohydrates.

Pellicle and Plaque Formation

Plaque formation

Plaque is a biofilm composed of several different kinds of bacteria and their products that develop over the enamel on a layer known as pellicle. The process of plaque formation takes several days to weeks and will cause the surrounding environment to become acidic if not removed^[1]. The surface of enamel attracts salivary glycoproteins and bacterial products creating the pellicle layer. This thin layer forms on the surface of the enamel within minutes of its exposure. These glycoproteins include proline rich proteins that allow bacterial adhesion ^[2].

Colonizers

The first bacteria to attach to these pellicle glycoproteins are gram positive aerobic cocci such as Streptococcus sanguinis^[2].These bacteria are able to replicate in the oxygen rich environment of the oral cavity and form micro-colonies within minutes after attachment. Other bacteria including Streptococcus mutans are able to grow in these colonies. Streptococcus mutans is important because it is associated with dental caries^[3]. These bacteria produce an enzyme known as glucosyltransferase. Glucosyl transferase converts sucrose into exopolysaccharides. These exopolysacharides create a sticky environment that allows other bacteria to attach to the initial colonies and protect them from acidic environments. As the plaque begins to develop and expand, oxygen can no longer diffuse into the colonies.

After a few days anaerobic gram negative cocci, rods, and filaments begin to colonize the plaque^[4]. After several weeks the cocci, rods, and filaments grow together forming colonies known as corncobs. This anaerobic environment causes facultative anaerobes such as S. mutans and Lactobacilli to break down sucrose through fermentation pathways. These bacteria produce lactic acid as a metabolic byproduct ^[5]. If the concentration of lactic acid becomes high enough it can cause the pH around the plaque to drop below 5.5 and demineralization will occur^[3].

References

1. ^ Samaranayake, Lakshman. Essential Microbiology for Dentistry, 3rd Edition. Churchill Livingstone, 092006.
2. ^ ^{a b} Newman, Michael G. Carranza's Clinical Periodontology, 10th Edition. Saunders Book Company, 072006. 9.4.2.
3. ^ ^{a b} Roberson, Theodore. Sturdevant's Art and Science of Operative Dentistry, 5th Edition. C.V. Mosby, 042006. 3.2.2.
4. ^ Harris, Norman O. Primary Preventive Dentistry, 6th Edition. Prentice Hall, 082003. 2.4).
5. ^ Miller, Chris H. Infection Control and Management of Hazardous Materials for the Dental Team, 3rd Edition. Mosby, 092004. 2.3.3.3).

This dentistry article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Teeth Dentistry stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР Grothendieck–Katz p-curvature conjecture Rainer M. Schröder Look at other dictionaries: Dental — The word dental is used for things pertaining to teeth and could refer to: Dentistry, a medical profession Dental Auxiliary Dental hygienist, a licensed practitioner Dental technician Any variety of other dental professions, such as Dental… …   Wikipedia Pellicle — may refer to:*Pellicle (mycology), the outermost layer of a mushroom; often used only for a surface that is viscid and easily peels. *Pellicle (biology), a thin layer supporting the cell membrane in various protozoa *Pellicle mirror, a thin… …   Wikipedia Dental plaque — Inadequate removal of plaque caused a build up of calculus (dark yellow color) near the gums on almost all the teeth. Dental plaque is a biofilm, usually a pale yellow, that develops naturally on the teeth. Like any biofilm, dental plaque is… …   Wikipedia brown pellicle — a brownish gray to black film formed over a period of time on the surfaces of the teeth, resulting from poor oral hygiene and brushing habits. See also dental plaque, under plaque …   Medical dictionary Tooth enamel — Labeled molar Latin enamelum Code TA …   Wikipedia Tooth development — Radiograph of lower right (from left to right) third, second, and first molars in different stages of development. Tooth development or odontogenesis is the complex process by which teeth form from embryonic cells, grow, and erupt into the mouth …   Wikipedia Développement dentaire — Radiographie d une mâchoire inférieure droite humaine. On distingue, de gauche à droite, la troisième, la seconde et la première molaires à différents stades de développement. Le développement dentaire ou odontogenèse est le processus complexe… …   Wikipédia en Français Chlorhexidine — Systematic (IUPAC) name N ,N hexane 1,6 diylbis[N (4 chlorophenyl)(imidodicarbonimidic diamide)] Clinical data Trade names …   Wikipedia cuticle — 1. An outer thin layer, usually horny in nature. SYN: cuticula (1). 2. The layer, chitinous in some invertebrates, which occurs on the surface of epithelial cells. 3. SYN: epidermis. [L. cuticula, dim. of cutis, skin] acquired c …   Medical dictionary digestive system disease — Introduction       any of the diseases that affect the human digestive tract. Such disorders may affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), pancreas, liver, or biliary tract. A prevalent disorder of the digestive… …   Universalium 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”