Tooth surface hydroxyapatite and dental plaque biofilm

Tooth surface hydroxyapatite and dental plaque biofilm represent the primary interface for oral disease and therapeutic intervention. Hydroxyapatite is the crystalline calcium phosphate mineral that constitutes the bulk of dental enamel, providing structural integrity and a surface for microbial attachment (NIH, 2023). The dental plaque biofilm is a complex, multi-species community of microorganisms embedded in an extracellular polymeric matrix that forms on these mineral surfaces (StatPearls, 2023). In the presence of fermentable carbohydrates, acidogenic bacteria within the biofilm produce organic acids that demineralize the hydroxyapatite, leading to dental caries. Therapeutic agents like fluoride target the hydroxyapatite by promoting remineralization and forming fluorapatite, which is more resistant to acid dissolution (PubChem, 2024). Antimicrobial agents such as chlorhexidine target the biofilm by disrupting bacterial cell membranes and inhibiting the accumulation of plaque (PubMed, 2022). Managing this target is essential for preventing tooth decay, gingivitis, and more severe periodontal diseases.

Other names

Dental enamelDental plaqueBiofilmHydroxyapatiteHAPTooth mineral

Drugs interact with this target through remineralization of the hydroxyapatite lattice, antimicrobial disruption of the biofilm community, and inhibition of bacterial adhesion to the tooth surface.