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Impact of the intraoral location on the rate of biofilm growth

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Abstract

The aims of the present study were: a) to assess the impact of the intraoral location on the rate of biofilm growth, and b) to establish an in vivo biofilm model to examine intraoral biofilm growth. Eight healthy volunteers wore acrylic splints with 15 glass slabs each in the upper and lower jaws to build up plaque. After 48 h, the specimens were removed and stained using the vital fluorescence technique. Biofilm thickness was evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The mean plaque thickness amounted to 77.6±29.1 µm on the buccal sites of the upper jaw and 71.9±26.3 µm on the buccal sites of lower jaw. On the palatal site a biofilm of 52.1±26.2 µm thickness was grown, which was significantly less compared with the other locations evaluated (p<0.001). The results demonstrate that the in situ biofilm thickness on the buccal sites was similar irrespective of the location in the oral cavity. The new splint system described may be a useful tool for further standardised experimental studies regarding influences on growth and structure of intraoral biofilms.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG; Ar 341/1-1). The authors thank Marie Follo, Ph.D., Department of Haematology and Oncology, Core Facility, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany for her help in the image analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    T. M. Auschill, E. Hellwig, N. Hein & N. B. Arweiler

  2. Section of Periodontology, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany

    A. Sculean

Authors
  1. T. M. Auschill
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  2. E. Hellwig
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  3. A. Sculean
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  4. N. Hein
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  5. N. B. Arweiler
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Correspondence to T. M. Auschill.

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Auschill, T.M., Hellwig, E., Sculean, A. et al. Impact of the intraoral location on the rate of biofilm growth. Clin Oral Invest 8, 97–101 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-004-0255-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-004-0255-6

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