This document provides an overview of dental plaque, including its definition, formation, classification, composition, and etiological significance. It defines dental plaque as a biofilm or mass of bacteria that grows on surfaces within the mouth. Plaque formation begins with the development of an acquired pellicle layer of saliva on the teeth, which bacteria then attach to. Plaque is classified based on its location, and matures over time from primarily aerobic bacteria to include more anaerobic bacteria. The document concludes that plaque leads to dental diseases like caries and periodontitis if left unchecked.

1. Plaque, formation, composition and
etiological significance
Presented
By
Izzatu Sani Idris
Intern Dental Therpist
At
Dental And Maxillofacial Dept
Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
15th Nov, 2019

2. contents
 Introduction
 Definition
 Plaque formation
 pellicle formation
 classification
 composition
 etiological significance
 conclusion
 references

4. introduction
 Dental plaque is a biofilm or mass of bacteria that
grows on surfaces within the mouth. It is a sticky
colorless deposit at first, but when it forms tartar, it is
often brown or pale yellow. It is commonly found
between the teeth, on the front of teeth, behind teeth,
on chewing surfaces, along the gum line, or below the
gum line cervical margins.

6. Intro Cont’
 Dental plaque is also known as microbial plaque, oral
biofilm, dental biofilm, dental plaque biofilm or
bacterial plaque biofilm. Bacterial plaque is one of the
major causes for dental decay and gum disease.

7. Definitions of dental plaque
 Devies et al (1963) Define dental plaque as asoft
concentrated mass containing mainly of large of
bacteria together wiith certain amount ofcellular
debris which develops within a short time after
brushing.

8. Def cont’
 Bowen W.H (1976) Define dental plaque clinically as a
structured,resilent,yellow-grayish substance that
adhere tenaciously to the intraoral hard
surface,including removable and fixed restorations

9. Def cont’
 Dental plaque can be defined as the diverse
community of micro-organisms found on the tooth
surface as a biofilm, embedded in an extracellular
matrix of polymers of host and microbial origin.
(Allison et al., 2000).

10. Plaque formation
 An acquired pellicle is a layer of saliva that is
composed of mainly glycoproteins and forms shortly
after cleaning of the teeth or exposure of new
teeth.Bacteria then attach to the pellicle layer, form
micro-colonies, and mature on the tooth, which can
result in oral diseases.

11. Formation of pellicle
 Vigorous toothbrushing- acquired pellicle
 Acquired pellicle-a homogenous, membranous cellular
film that covers the tooth surface and frequently form
the interfece between the tooth,the dental plaque and
calculus

12. Classification of dental plaque
Grants classification according to location
A. coronal plaque- coronal to the gingival margin
B. gingival plaque- forms on the external surface of the
oral epithelium and attached gingiva.
C. subgingival plaque- located between the
periodontal attachment and within the sulcus or
pocket.
D. fissure plaque- develops in pits and fissures

13. Supragingival plaque
Dental plaque that forms above the gums, and is the
first kind of plaque to form after the brushing of the
teeth. It commonly forms in between the teeth, in the
pits and grooves of the teeth and along the gums. Its
mostly made up of aerobic bacteria, meaning these
bacteria need oxygen to survive.

14. Subgingival plaque
It’s a plaque that is located under the gums. It occurs
after the formation of the supragingival biofilm by a
downward growth of the bacteria from above the gums
to below. This plaque is mostly made up of anaerobic
bacteria,

18.  Different types of bacteria are normally present in the
mouth. These bacteria, as well
as leukocytes, neutrophils, macrophages,
and lymphocytes, are part of the normal oral cavity
and contribute to the individual's health.

19.  The bacterial equilibrium position varies at different
stages of formation. Below is a summary of the
bacteria that may be present during the phases of
plaque maturation:
 Early biofilm: primarily Gram-positive cocci
 Older biofilm (3–4 days): increased numbers of
filaments and fusiforms

20.  4–9 days undisturbed: more complex flora with
rods, filamentous forms
 7–14 days: Vibrio species, spirochetes, more Gram-
negative organisms.

21. Etiological significance cont’
 Plaque is the primary causative agent of almost all the
dental diseases such as dental caries, periodontal
diseases e.t.c
 Subgingival plaques leads to
 Periodontitis
 Other periodontal diseases.
Supragingival plaque leads to
 Dental caries
 Gingivitis

23. CONCLUSION
 Plaque + time = gingivitis
 Gingivits + time= periodontitis
 Periodontitis + time =tooth loss and other related
diseases
Proper oral hygiene practice help maintain good oral
health.

24. references
 Socransky SS, Haffajee AD. Periodontal microbial
etiology. Periodontol 2000. 2005;38: 135-187
 Levine MJ, Reddy MS, Tabak LA, et al.. Structural
aspects of salivary glycoproteins. J Dent Res. 1987;66:
436-441.
 Whittaker CJ, Klier CM, Kolenbrander PE.
Mechanisms of adhesion by oral bacteria. Annu Rev
Microbiol. 1996;50: 513-552