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Biofilms

Biofilms

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...

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Concurrent Quantification of Cellular and Extracellular Components of Biofilms

Concurrent Quantification of Cellular and Extracellular Components of Biofilms

Published on: December 10, 2013

Biofilm-induced changes to the composite surface.

Ivana Nedeljkovic¹, Jan De Munck¹, Andreea-Alexandra Ungureanu²

¹KU Leuven BIOMAT, Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of Leuven & Dentistry University Hospitals Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

Journal of Dentistry

|May 31, 2017

Summary

Single-species Streptococcus mutans biofilms significantly increased dental composite roughness. However, multi-species biofilms showed a mitigated effect, suggesting bacterial esterases play a role in composite degradation and potential secondary caries.

Keywords:

Atomic force microscopy Biodegradation Composite Dental biofilm Streptococcus mutans Surface roughness

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Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Microbiology
Dental Materials

Background:

Dental composites are susceptible to biodegradation in the oral environment.
Biofilm formation on composite surfaces can lead to restorative material degradation.
Understanding biofilm-composite interactions is crucial for long-term restoration success.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the impact of single- and multi-species biofilms on the surface roughness and topography of two different dental composites.
To compare the effects of Streptococcus mutans alone versus a mixed bacterial consortium on composite surface properties.

Main Methods:

Two composites (Bis-GMA-free and Bis-GMA-based) were exposed to single-species (S. mutans) and multi-species biofilms for 6 weeks.
Surface roughness and topography were analyzed using atomic force microscopy.
Biofilm composition and structure were assessed via real-time PCR and scanning electron microscopy.

Main Results:

Multi-species biofilms, despite being thicker, did not significantly alter composite surface roughness.
Single-species S. mutans biofilms significantly increased the roughness of the Bis-GMA-based composite (40.3%) compared to the Bis-GMA-free composite (12%).
Bacterial esterases were implicated in the observed increase in composite surface roughness.

Conclusions:

Streptococcus mutans can independently increase dental composite surface roughness, with the effect varying based on composite composition.
The presence of other bacterial species in a mixed biofilm mitigates the roughness-inducing effect of S. mutans.
Increased composite roughness due to bacterial degradation may enhance bacterial accumulation, potentially leading to secondary caries and restoration failure.