Impact of biofilm formation by dental plaque isolates on the surface of artificial teeth
Objectives: Present study was aimed to isolate and characterize biofilm forming bacteria from dental plaque. Furthermore, biofilm formation of those isolates was checked on the surface of artificial teeth (AT) to explore the impact of biofilm on physical parameters of artificial teeth.
Methods: Bacteria were isolated from human dental plaque and characterized morphologically, biochemically, and genetically with their phylogenetic analysis. The efficacy of biocides was determined by culture dependent method. Biofilm formation of dental isolates was estimated by semi-quantitative micro titer detection assay. Artificial teeth were subjected for the study of surface microscopy, different color parameters, and tooth hardness. Results: The findings of our study demonstrated that isolates had capabilities to produce biofilm with the presence and absence of biocides in media, although dental isolates differ in their biofilm forming abilities. Ten out of 50 strains were screened as intermediate biocide resistant and finally 3 were selected and identified as Acenitobacter sp. (accession no. JF837190), Moraxella sp.(accession no. JF837191) and Bacillus sp. (accession no. JF837192), showed resistance of up to the 1000 µgml-1 biocides concentration. Surface microscopy of AT reveals that smooth outer surface of AT were entirely changed into rough surface with the appearance of pits and fissure due to the bacterial growth. Biofilm was involved in the deterioration of enamel surface; that adversely affects the color, gloss and hardness of AT. Conclusions: Dental isolates were found to be strong biofilm producer; had damaging effects on artificial teeth. Commercially available biocides are no more effective to control the complexity of dental biofilm due to bacterial resistance. Further study is required to find out new targets in resistant isolates for biocides or antibiotics that help to control the bacterial biofilm in sense to manage the dental diseases.