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Advances and Challenges in Oral Biofilm Control

  • Microbiology (M Klein, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Oral Health Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The paper aims to critically study the literature published over the past 3 years as relevant to oral biofilm control. The emphasis of this review is the interests and importance of new findings, seeking the following answers: (i) what is the major challenge in oral biofilm control?, (ii) what are the new anti-biofilm approaches?, and (iii) what are the further researches?

Recent Findings

In addition to mechanical plaque removal and the use of chemical agents against pathogenic biofilm, there is a need for development of new anti-biofilm approaches. The majority of the new studies aiming to control oral biofilm have been performed with the characterization of the extracellular matrix components. Exopolysaccharides (EPS), proteins, lipids, nucleic acids (eDNA), lipoteichoic acids (LTA), and lipopolysaccharides have been identified in the matrices of bacterial biofilms and are considered the current targets to oral biofilm control.

Summary

The extracellular matrix is essential for the existence of the biofilm and by its virulence both in bacterial and fungal pathogens. The better understanding of the biomechanical properties of the EPS matrix is the main advance and is leading to new chemical and/or biological approaches to remove or disorganize cariogenic biofilms. Recently, researches are focusing on the extracellular matrix for oral biofilm control with further clinical applicability.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of Importance •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) scholarship 2016/00256-3 to B.H.D.P. and by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) scholarship 6483-15-1 to C.A.G.A.C.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Dental School, Rua Humaitá, 1680, 14801-903, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil

    Beatriz Helena Dias Panariello, Ana Cláudia Pavarina & Simone Duarte

  2. Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Monsenhor Furtado, s/n. Rodolfo Teófilo 60430-355, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

    Cecilia Atem Gonçalves de Araújo Costa & Sérgio Lima Santiago

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  1. Beatriz Helena Dias Panariello
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  2. Cecilia Atem Gonçalves de Araújo Costa
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  3. Ana Cláudia Pavarina
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  5. Simone Duarte
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Correspondence to Simone Duarte.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Microbiology

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Panariello, B.H.D., de Araújo Costa, C.A.G., Pavarina, A.C. et al. Advances and Challenges in Oral Biofilm Control. Curr Oral Health Rep 4, 29–33 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40496-017-0120-8

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