Antibiotics alone are often ineffective in the treatment of bacterial biofilm infections and new strategies are needed. Once bacteria shift from their free-swimming state to the structured community of a biofilm, they become much harder to kill with conventional antibiotic regimens. A review by Zhi-Jun Song and colleagues at Denmark’s University Hospital of Copenhagen explores the challenges of diagnosing and eliminating biofilms that form on the surface of implanted medical devices. At present, the best solution is early detection followed by aggressive treatment with multiple antibiotics and removal of the device in question. However, recent research suggests other possible solutions, including drugs that interfere with communication between bacteria or disrupt their ability to anchor to surfaces, and viruses that specifically infect and kill biofilm-forming microbes.
Bacteria survive in nature by forming biofilms on surfaces and probably most, if not all, bacteria (and fungi) are capable of forming biofilms. A biofilm is a structured consortium of bacteria embedded in a self‐produced polymer matrix consisting of polysaccharide, protein and extracellular DNA. Bacterial biofilms are resistant to antibiotics, disinfectant chemicals and to phagocytosis and other components of the innate and adaptive inflammatory defense system of the body. It is known, for example, that persistence of staphylococcal infections related to foreign bodies is due to biofilm formation. Likewise, chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients are caused by biofilm growing mucoid strains. Gradients of nutrients and oxygen exist from the top to the bottom of biofilms and the bacterial cells located in nutrient poor areas have decreased metabolic activity and increased doubling times. These more or less dormant cells are therefore responsible for some of the tolerance to antibiotics. Biofilm growth is associated with an increased level of mutations. Bacteria in biofilms communicate by means of molecules, which activates certain genes responsible for production of virulence factors and, to some extent, biofilm structure. This phenomenon is called quorum sensing and depends upon the concentration of the quorum sensing molecules in a certain niche, which depends on the number of the bacteria. Biofilms can be prevented by antibiotic prophylaxis or early aggressive antibiotic therapy and they can be treated by chronic suppressive antibiotic therapy. Promising strategies may include the use of compounds which can dissolve the biofilm matrix and quorum sensing inhibitors, which increases biofilm susceptibility to antibiotics and phagocytosis.
This review highlights the recent advances in X‐ray microcomputed tomography (Micro‐CT) applied in dental research. It summarizes Micro‐CT applications in measurement of enamel thickness, root canal morphology, evaluation of root canal preparation, craniofacial skeletal structure, micro finite element modeling, dental tissue engineering, mineral density of dental hard tissues and about dental implants. Details of studies in each of these areas are highlighted along with the advantages of Micro‐CT, and finally a summary of the future applications of Micro‐CT in dental research is given.
Bacterial biofilms can be viewed as a specific type of persistent bacterial infection. After initial invasion, microbes can attach to living and non‐living surfaces, such as prosthetics and indwelling medical devices, and form a biofilm composed of extracellular polysaccharides, proteins, and other components. In hosts, biofilm formation may trigger drug resistance and inflammation, resulting in persistent infections. The clinical aspects of biofilm formation and leading strategies for biofilm inhibitors will be discussed in this mini‐review.
Direct observation of a wide range of natural microorganisms has revealed the fact that the majority of microbes persist as surface‐attached communities surrounded by matrix materials, called biofilms. Biofilms can be formed by a single bacterial strain. However, most natural biofilms are actually formed by multiple bacterial species. Conventional methods for bacterial cleaning, such as applications of antibiotics and/or disinfectants are often ineffective for biofilm populations due to their special physiology and physical matrix barrier. It has been estimated that billions of dollars are spent every year worldwide to deal with damage to equipment, contaminations of products, energy losses, and infections in human beings resulted from microbial biofilms. Microorganisms compete, cooperate, and communicate with each other in multi‐species biofilms. Understanding the mechanisms of multi‐species biofilm formation will facilitate the development of methods for combating bacterial biofilms in clinical, environmental, industrial, and agricultural areas. The most recent advances in the understanding of multi‐species biofilms are summarized and discussed in the review.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to play an important role in regulation of the immuno‐inflammatory response; however, the function of miRNAs in periodontal inflammation has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to explore the properties of miRNAs in periodontal inflammation by comparing miRNA profiles of inflamed and healthy gingival tissues. Gingival tissues were obtained from 10 periodontitis patients and 10 healthy subjects. After RNA extraction, miRNA profiles were analyzed by microarray, and expression levels of selected miRNAs were confirmed by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Analyses using two computational methods, Targetscan and MicroRNA.org, were combined to identify common targets of these miRNAs. Finally, the individual miRNA expression levels of three toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐related miRNAs from inflamed and healthy gingival tissues were evaluated by RT‐PCR. Ninety‐one miRNAs were found to be upregulated and thirty‐four downregulated over two‐fold in inflamed gingival tissue compared with those in healthy gingival tissue. Twelve selected inflammatory‐related miRNAs, hsa‐miR‐126*, hsa‐miR‐20a, hsa‐miR‐142‐3p, hsa‐miR‐19a, hsa‐let‐7f, hsa‐miR‐203, hsa‐miR‐17, hsa‐miR‐223, hsa‐miR‐146b, hsa‐miR‐146a, hsa‐miR‐155, and hsa‐miR‐205 showed comparable expression levels by microarray and real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR analyses. In addition, the putative inflammation targets of these miRNAs were predicted, and three that were tested (hsa‐miRNA‐146a, hsa‐miRNA‐146b, and hsa‐miRNA‐155), showed significant differences between inflamed and healthy gingiva. This remarkable difference in miRNA profiles between periodontal diseased and healthy gingiva implicates a probable close relationship between miRNAs and periodontal inflammation. The data also suggest that the regulation of TLRs in periodontal inflammation may involve miRNA pathways.
The timing of hard palate closure is important for preserving the normal growth of the upper jaw (maxilla) and palate after cleft surgery. Cleft surgeons are concerned surgery will restrict growth of the maxilla. Led by Shi Bing from the West China School of Stomatology in Sichuan, the researchers reviewed studies on surgically related growth inhibition among cleft patients. The extent of growth restriction in cleft lip repair is related to the severity of the original deformity, whereas in palate repair it is related to early reconstruction. A 25-year follow-up study found that 60% of patients had normal maxillary growth when their soft palate was repaired at 4–6 months and hard palate closure was delayed until 18–24 months. Another study by the review authors found the timing of hard palate closure affects post-operative growth.
Periodontal disease has been recently linked to a variety of systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, preterm delivery, and oral cancer. The most common bacteria associated with periodontal disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) has not yet been studied in the malignant gingival tissues. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of P. gingivalis in specimens from squamous cell carcinoma patients. We have performed immunohistochemical staining to investigate the presence of P. gingivalis and Streptococcus gordonii (S. gordonii), a non invasive oral bacteria, in paraffin embedded samples of gingival squamous cell carcinoma (n=10) and normal gingiva (n=5). Staining for P. gingivalis revealed the presence of the bacteria in normal gingival tissues and gingival carcinoma, with higher levels (more than 33%, P<0.05) detected in the carcinoma samples. The staining intensity was also significantly enhanced in the malignant tissue by 2 folds (P<0.023) compared to specimens stained for the non‐invasive S. gordonii. P. gingivalis is abundantly present in malignant oral epithelium suggesting a potential association of the bacteria with gingival squamous cell carcinoma.
With additional functions of osteocytes being identified, the concept that osteocytes are just “static lacunar‐dwelling cells” is no longer accepted. We reviewed most of the relevant literature on osteocyte's function in the direct remodeling of the perilucunar matrix, discussing the advantages and disadvantages. Special attention was paid to how the negative researchers argue about the “osteocytic osteolysis” principle, and how the positive side addressed the arguments. We also discussed the newly found data of osteocytic remodeling function from our group. With more biotechnology in hand, there is increased excitement in the prospect of now being able to answer the two important questions: do osteocytes have the capability to remove mineral from the perilacunar matrix and if so what are the molecular and cellular mechanisms? do osteocytes have the capability to deposit new mineral on the perilacunar matrix and if so what are the cellular and molecular mechanisms?
Human oral bacteria live in multispecies communities in the biofilm called dental plaque. This review focuses on the interactions of seven species and the ability of each species individually and together with other species to grow on saliva as the sole source of nutrient. Community formation in biofilms in flow cells is monitored using species‐specific fluorophore‐conjugated immunoglobulin G, and images are captured by confocal microscopy. Early colonizing veillonellae emerge from this review of interspecies interactions in saliva as a critical genus that guides the development of multispecies communities. Highly selective interspecies recognition is evident as initial colonizers pair with early and middle colonizers to form multispecies communities that grow on saliva.
For a long time, oral disease is one of the major problems of the public health for its high prevalence and incidence throughout the world, which is especially true for low‐income populations. Since China's economic reform in 1978, great changes have taken place in China. These changes have significant impact on and have been reflected in oral disease trends in China.
This paper provides an overview and assessment of the oral health status in China. It focuses on changes in the nation's demographic profile, in the marketplace, the oral disease status and trends. The paper also suggests some possible measures and strategies for bettering oral health in future China.
Better education and awareness campaigns are needed to encourage people who notice symptoms of oral cancer to quickly have their lesions inspected by medical or dental professionals. Led by Giuseppe Colella and Giuseppina Campisi, a research team from the Universities of Palermo and Naples in Italy interviewed 156 people with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity to determine the time taken between patients first noticing signs of cancer and then consulting physicians or dentists. People with knowledge or personal experience with cancer tended to seek medical assistance much earlier than people who were in denial or were unaware of the problem, the researchers found. Older patients showed a shorter delay than younger patients. The team calls for educational interventions to encourage early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer, a disease responsible for an estimated 130 000 deaths worldwide each year.
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a high incidence of cervical micrometastases and sometimes metastasizes contralaterally because of the rich lymphatic intercommunications relative to submucosal plexus of oral cavity that freely communicate across the midline, and it can facilitate the spread of neoplastic cells to any area of the neck consequently. Clinical and histopathologic factors continue to provide predictive information to contralateral neck metastases (CLNM) in OSCC, which determine prophylactic and adjuvant treatments for an individual patient. This review describes the predictive value of clinical‐histopathologic factors, which relate to primary tumor and cervical lymph nodes, and surgical dissection and adjuvant treatments. In addition, the indications for elective contralateral neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy (aRT) and strategies for follow‐up are offered, which is strongly focused by clinicians to prevent later CLNM and poor prognosis subsequently.
Dentin matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of host‐derived proteolytic enzymes trapped within mineralized dentin matrix, which have the ability to hydrolyze the organic matrix of demineralized dentin. After bonding with resins to dentin there are usually some exposed collagen fibrils at the bottom of the hybrid layer owing to imperfect resin impregnation of the demineralized dentin matrix. Exposed collagen fibrils might be affected by MMPs inducing hydrolytic degradation, which might result in reduced bond strength.
Most MMPs are synthesized and released from odontoblasts in the form of proenzymes, requiring activation to degrade extracellular matrix components. Unfortunately, they can be activated by modern self‐etch and etch‐and‐rinse adhesives. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of the role of dentinal host‐derived MMPs in dentin matrix degradation. We also discuss various available MMP inhibitors, especially chlorhexidine, and suggest that they could provide a potential pathway for inhibiting collagen degradation in bonding interfaces thereby increasing dentin bonding durability.
To determine how SDF‐1α/CXCR4 activates nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) and promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) invasion.
A lentivirus‐based knockdown approach was utilized to deplete gene expression. NF‐κB activation was evaluated by Western blot analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA).
We show that the activation of NF‐κB by CXCR4 occurs through the Carma3/Bcl10/Malt1 (CBM) complex in OSCC. We found that loss of components of the CBM complex in HNSCC can inhibit SDF‐1α induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, while TNFα induced IKK activation remains unchanged. Further, we identified a role for novel and atypical, but not classical, PKCs in activating IKK through CXCR4. Importantly, inhibition of the CBM complex leads to a significant decrease in SDF‐1α mediated invasion of OSCC.
The CBM complex plays a critical role in CXCR4‐induced NF‐κB activation in OSCC. Targeting molecular components of the NF‐κB signaling pathway may provide an important therapeutic opportunity in controlling the progression and metastasis of OSCC mediated by SDF‐1α.
The antibacterial activity of dental composites with ammonium polymer additives depends on the polymers' chain length. Dental composites formed from calcium phosphate in its nanoparticulate form are used as a remineralization agent for tooth lesions and to prevent tooth decay. To further prevent decay, which occurs following bacterial biofilm formation, antibacterial agents can be added to the composites. Hockin HK Xu, University of Maryland, USA, Yu-Xing Bai at Capital Medical University in Beijing, and colleagues synthesized quaternary ammonium methacrylates with chain lengths varying from 3 to 18 carbons, and assessed their anti-biofilm activity in calcium phosphate composites. The antibacterial efficacy increased with chain length until a maximum was reached at 16, the efficacy decreasing thereafter. The maximum efficacy resulted in a 10-fold reduction in biofilm metabolic activity and acid production, without any detrimental mechanical effects.
When adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) are retrieved from the stromal vascular portion of adipose tissue, a large amount of mature adipocytes are often discarded. However, by modified ceiling culture technique based on their buoyancy, mature adipocytes can be easily isolated from the adipose cell suspension and dedifferentiated into lipid‐free fibroblast‐like cells, named dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells. DFAT cells re‐establish active proliferation ability and undertake multipotent capacities. Compared with ASCs and other adult stem cells, DFAT cells showed unique advantages in their abundance, isolation and homogeneity. In this concise review, the establishment and culture methods of DFAT cells are introduced and the current profiles of their cellular nature are summarized. Under proper induction culture in vitro or environment in vivo, DFAT cells could demonstrate adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic and myogenic potentials. In angiogenic conditions, DFAT cells could exhibit perivascular characteristics and elicit neovascularization. Our preliminary findings also suggested the pericyte phenotype underlying such cell lineage, which supported a novel interpretation about the common origin of mesenchymal stem cells and tissue‐specific stem cells within blood vessel walls. Current research on DFAT cells indicated that this alternative source of adult multipotent cells has great potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Researchers in Germany and Egypt have identified a cell population in the gum margins with regenerative potential. A team led by Karim Fawzy El-Sayed, from the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel, Germany, and Cairo University in Egypt, magnetically sorted human gum tissue using antibodies that bind STRO-1, a surface protein that marks cells as mesenchymal stem cells. Cells expressing STRO-1 showed more molecular characteristics of stem cells, had greater proliferative capacity and could differentiate into more cell types than cells without STRO-1 on their surface. The study is the first to directly compare the two gum cell populations. STRO-1-positive cells in the gum margin could provide a renewable source of multipotent stem cells for the treatment of gingivitis and other types of periodontal disease.
Since the initial observations of oral bacteria within dental plaque by van Leeuwenhoek using his primitive microscopes in 1680, an event that is generally recognized as the advent of oral microbiological investigation, oral microbiology has gone through phases of “reductionism” and “holism”. From the small beginnings of the Miller and Black period, in which microbiologists followed Koch's postulates, took the reductionist approach to try to study the complex oral microbial community by analyzing individual species; to the modern era when oral researchers embrace “holism” or “system thinking”, adopt new concepts such as interspecies interaction, microbial community, biofilms, poly‐microbial diseases, oral microbiological knowledge has burgeoned and our ability to identify the resident organisms in dental plaque and decipher the interactions between key components has rapidly increased, such knowledge has greatly changed our view of the oral microbial flora, provided invaluable insight into the etiology of dental and periodontal diseases, opened the door to new approaches and techniques for developing new therapeutic and preventive tools for combating oral poly‐microbial diseases.
Tooth loss compromises human oral health. Although several prosthetic methods, such as artificial denture and dental implants, are clinical therapies to tooth loss problems, they are thought to have safety and usage time issues. Recently, tooth tissue engineering has attracted more and more attention. Stem cell based tissue engineering is thought to be a promising way to replace the missing tooth. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells which can differentiate into a variety of cell types. The potential MSCs for tooth regeneration mainly include stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs), adult dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), stem cells from the apical part of the papilla (SCAPs), stem cells from the dental follicle (DFSCs), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). This review outlines the recent progress in the mesenchymal stem cells used in tooth regeneration.
To review the perceptions of dental/medical educators and their students in the United States on the adequacy of didactic and clinical preparation to provide service for individuals with disabilities.
An e‐mailed questionnaire with follow‐up was sent to 198 deans of dental/medical schools, 1,628 directors of residency programs in nine medical/dental residency programs, 427 medical students in 12 medical schools, and 368 health related organizations, facilities and programs.
More than half (58%) of the responding deans of medical schools and 50% of the deans of dental schools reported that a curriculum for patients with disabilities was not a high priority at their school. A majority (61%) of deans of medical schools, and 47% of the deans of dental schools, reported that their graduates were competent to treat patients with disabilities. However, majorities of dental/ medical school seniors and graduates expressed inadequate competency in the care of these patients. A majority of the directors of medical/dental residencies indicated a need for additional training for their residents.
There is need for increased didactic and clinical preparation of dental/medical school graduates in the care of individuals with special health needs. The interest expressed by health profession educators in an effort to develop appropriate curriculum modules provides an opportunity to prepare new graduates for the care of an increasing population of individuals with disabilities.
A tooth is a complex biological organ and consists of multiple tissues including the enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp. Tooth loss is the most common organ failure. Can a tooth be regenerated? Can adult stem cells be orchestrated to regenerate tooth structures such as the enamel, dentin, cementum and dental pulp, or even an entire tooth? If not, what are the therapeutically viable sources of stem cells for tooth regeneration? Do stem cells necessarily need to be taken out of the body, and manipulated ex vivo before they are transplanted for tooth regeneration? How can regenerated teeth be economically competitive with dental implants? Would it be possible to make regenerated teeth affordable by a large segment of the population worldwide? This review article explores existing and visionary approaches that address some of the above‐mentioned questions. Tooth regeneration represents a revolution in stomatology as a shift in the paradigm from repair to regeneration: repair is by metal or artificial materials whereas regeneration is by biological restoration. Tooth regeneration is an extension of the concepts in the broad field of regenerative medicine to restore a tissue defect to its original form and function by biological substitutes.
Trans‐trans farnesol (tt‐farnesol) is a bioactive sesquiterpene alcohol commonly found in propolis (a beehive product) and citrus fruits, which disrupts the ability of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) to form virulent biofilms. In this study, we investigated whether tt‐farnesol affects cell‐membrane function, acid production and/or acid tolerance by planktonic cells and biofilms of S. mutans UA159. Furthermore, the influence of the agent on S. mutans gene expression and ability to form biofilms in the presence of other oral bacteria (Streptococcus oralis (S. oralis) 35037 and Actinomyces naeslundii (A. naeslundii) 12104) was also examined. In general, tt‐farnesol (1 mmol‐L−1) significantly increased the membrane proton permeability and reduced glycolytic activity of S. mutans in the planktonic state and in biofilms (P<0.05). Moreover, topical applications of 1 mmol‐L−1 tt‐farnesol twice daily (1 min exposure/treatment) reduced biomass accumulation and prevented ecological shifts towards S. mutans dominance within mixed‐species biofilms after introduction of 1% sucrose. S. oralis (a non‐cariogenic organism) became the major species after treatments with tt‐farnesol, whereas vehicle‐treated biofilms contained mostly S. mutans (>90% of total bacterial population). However, the agent did not affect significantly the expression of S. mutans genes involved in acidogenicity, acid tolerance or polysaccharide synthesis in the treated biofilms. Our data indicate that tt‐farnesol may affect the competitiveness of S. mutans in a mixed‐species environment by primarily disrupting the membrane function and physiology of this bacterium. This naturally occurring terpenoid could be a potentially useful adjunctive agent to the current anti‐biofilm/anti‐caries chemotherapeutic strategies.
microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non‐coding RNAs that function as endogenous triggers of the RNA interference pathway. Studies have shown that thousands of human protein‐coding genes are regulated by miRNAs, indicating that miRNAs are master regulators of many important biological processes, such as cancer development. miRNAs frequently have deregulated expression in many types of human cancers, and play critical roles in tumorigenesis, which functions either as tumor suppressors or as oncogenes. Recent studies have shown that miRNAs are highly related with cancer progression, including initiating, growth, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. Furthermore, miRNAs are shown to be responsible for the cancer‐related inflammation, anti‐cancer drug resistance, and regulation of cancer stem cells. Therefore, miRNAs have generated great interest as a novel strategy in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Here we review the versatile roles of miRNAs in cancers and their potential applications for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment as biomarkers.
An investigation into the interaction between tooth root cells and an inflammatory protein sheds light on root degradation following injury. Osteoclast cells digest old bone to release nutrients and recycle bone tissues in a vital process called bone resorption. Cementum, the mineral substance covering tooth roots, is not usually resorbed, but injury to the tissues surrounding roots often triggers inflammation followed by root degradation. To understand this phenomenon better, Ruchanee Salingcarnboriboon Ampornaramveth at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, and co-workers investigated whether cementum cells can promote the formation of osteoclasts. They found that when cementum cells were treated with interleukin 1 beta, an inflammatory protein expressed at high levels in tissues following injury, levels of another protein needed for osteoclast formation increased. This boosted osteoclast formation around roots, resulting in root resorption
Dental caries (tooth decay) is caused by a specific group of cariogenic bacteria, like Streptococcus mutans, which convert dietary sugars into acids that dissolve the mineral in tooth structure. Killing cariogenic bacteria is an effective way to control or prevent tooth decay. In a previous study, we discovered a novel compound (Glycyrrhizol A), from the extraction of licorice roots, with strong antimicrobial activity against cariogenic bacteria. In the current study, we developed a method to produce these specific herbal extracts in large quantities, and then used these extracts to develop a sugar‐free lollipop that effectively kills cariogenic bacteria like Streptococcus mutans. Further studies showed that these sugar‐free lollipops are safe and their antimicrobial activity is stable. Two pilot human studies indicate that a brief application of these lollipops (twice a day for ten days) led to a marked reduction of cariogenic bacteria in oral cavity among most human subjects tested. This herbal lollipop could be a novel tool to promote oral health through functional foods.
The timing and site of action of two key enzymes help regulate the formation of cementum, one of the mineralized substances of teeth. An international team led by Brian Foster from the US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases considered the roles of two enzymes — tissue non-specific phosphatase (TNAP) and ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (NPP1) — in cementum development. They showed in mice that early TNAP expression created a particular environment in teeth with low levels of pyrophosphate, a mineral inhibitor. This promoted the creation of a type of cementum that does not incorporate cells into its structure. Later on in development, the expression of NPP1 boosted levels of pyrophosphate, which restricted this type of cementum. These enzymes had little effect on cementum containing cells. The researchers confirmed these patterns in extracted human teeth.
Dental biofilms are complex communities composed largely of harmless bacteria. Certain pathogenic species including Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) can become predominant when host factors such as dietary sucrose intake imbalance the biofilm ecology. Current approaches to control S. mutans infection are not pathogen‐specific and eliminate the entire oral community along with any protective benefits provided. Here, we tested the hypothesis that removal of S. mutans from the oral community through targeted antimicrobial therapy achieves protection against subsequent S. mutans colonization.
Controlled amounts of S. mutans were mixed with S. mutans‐free saliva, grown into biofilms and visualized by antibody staining and cfu quantization. Two specifically‐targeted antimicrobial peptides (STAMPs) against S. mutans were tested for their ability to reduce S. mutans biofilm incorporation upon treatment of the inocula. The resulting biofilms were also evaluated for their ability to resist subsequent exogenous S. mutans colonization.
S. mutans colonization was considerably reduced (9 ± 0.4 fold reduction, P=0.01) when the surface was preoccupied with saliva‐derived biofilms. Furthermore, treatment with S. mutans‐specific STAMPs yielded S. mutans‐deficient biofilms with significant protection against further S. mutans colonization (5 minutes treatment: 38 ± 13 fold reduction P=0.01; 16 hours treatment: 96 ± 28 fold reduction P=0.07).
S. mutans infection is reduced by the presence of existing biofilms. Thus maintaining a healthy or “normal” biofilm through targeted antimicrobial therapy (such as the STAMPs) could represent an effective strategy for the treatment and prevention of S. mutans colonization in the oral cavity and caries progression.
