Extracellular polymeric substance matrix of dental plaque (EPS matrix) (EPS matrix)

The dental plaque glucan-rich extracellular matrix is a complex, three-dimensional scaffold primarily composed of exopolysaccharides (glucans) synthesized by cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans (Koo et al., 2013). This matrix is formed when bacterial glucosyltransferases (GTFs) adsorb onto the salivary pellicle (also known as the acquired enamel pellicle)—a thin film of host proteins coating the tooth surface—and convert dietary sucrose into water-insoluble and soluble glucans (Bowen & Koo, 2011). These polymers provide structural integrity to the dental biofilm, facilitate the adhesion and cohesion of microbial communities, and create protective microenvironments that shield pathogens from antimicrobials and host immune responses (Jakubovics et al., 2021). In the presence of fermentable carbohydrates, the matrix traps organic acids produced by bacteria, leading to localized demineralization of the tooth enamel and the development of dental caries. Therapeutically, this matrix is targeted by enzymes like dextranase and mutanase that degrade the glucan scaffold, or by small molecules and natural products like apigenin and tt-farnesol that inhibit GTF activity. Recent innovations include the use of catalytic nanoparticles, such as ferumoxytol, that penetrate the matrix to generate reactive oxygen species, effectively disrupting the biofilm structure and enhancing the efficacy of traditional antimicrobials (Liu et al., 2018).

Other names

Salivary pellicle and dental plaque glucan biofilm matrixExtracellular polymeric substance matrixGlucan biofilm matrixDental biofilm matrixAcquired enamel pellicle-associated glucansDental plaque matrix

The primary mechanisms of action involve the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucan polymers (e.g., by dextranase and mutanase), the inhibition of bacterial glucosyltransferases (GTFs) to prevent the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides, and the catalytic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the matrix to disrupt its structural integrity (Koo et al., 2013; Liu et al., 2018). Additionally, some agents interfere with the initial adhesion of bacteria to the salivary pellicle or disrupt the cohesive forces within the biofilm scaffold (Jakubovics et al., 2021).