Periodontal bacterial biofilm

Periodontal bacterial biofilms are complex, multi-species microbial communities that adhere to tooth surfaces and subgingival environments, encapsulated in a protective extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix (NIH/NIDCR, 2023). These biofilms are the primary etiological factor in the development of periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, where they trigger a persistent host inflammatory response that leads to the destruction of the periodontium and alveolar bone (StatPearls, 2023). The biofilm architecture provides a significant survival advantage by shielding pathogenic bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, from host immune defenses and increasing their resistance to antimicrobial agents by up to 1,000-fold compared to planktonic cells (PubMed, PMC7149519). Therapeutic interventions primarily target the biofilm through mechanical disruption, such as scaling and root planing, often supplemented by local or systemic antibiotics like doxycycline or metronidazole to reduce the microbial load (Journal of Periodontology, 2015). Current research is focused on novel strategies to disrupt the EPS matrix or inhibit quorum sensing to enhance the efficacy of traditional treatments and prevent disease recurrence (Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2021).

Other names

Dental plaqueSubgingival biofilmOral biofilmPeriodontal plaqueMicrobial plaque

Antimicrobial agents target periodontal biofilms through the disruption of bacterial cell membranes, inhibition of protein synthesis (e.g., tetracyclines), and interference with DNA replication (e.g., metronidazole). Adjunctive therapies may also involve the enzymatic degradation of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix or the inhibition of quorum sensing to prevent biofilm maturation and increase the susceptibility of constituent pathogens to the host immune system and chemical agents.