IADR Abstract Archives
Validation of an Intra-Oral Device for Mimicking Natural Biofilm Development
Objectives: The ability to develop an in-situ biofilm in its natural form is critical to obtain realistic data on biofilm functionality. Biological and physical characteristics of the artificially produced oral biofilms can be affected by several factors such as type of the device and the substrate used. We aim to construct and validate an intra-oral device for in-situ biofilm development.
Methods: A customized intra-oral device was designed and constructed using thermoplastic material “ERKOFLEX”, vacuum formed on an upper jaw model, carrying two removable transparent “polystyrene wells” of 5mm x 3mm, on each side of the jaw. Five healthy volunteers wore the device continuously for 24 hours, apart from meal times. No toothbrushing was allowed during the test period. A total of 16 biofilm samples from device and 16 supragingival biofilm samples from corresponding, contra-lateral natural sites on teeth were collected. Viability of bacteria was quantified using real-time PCR. Parametric tests were employed to compare total microbial viability of the device and the tooth biofilm, and to compare the viability of biofilm microbiota between individuals.
Results: The device was able to grow viable biofilm as confirmed by viability PCR. There was non-significant difference in the total proportion of viable/non-viable bacteria collected from device and the natural tooth surface (P>0.05) after 24 h. (Mean {SD} delta Ct of device and tooth were 2.23 {2.11}and 1.21{1.06}, respectively). There was also non-significant difference in the proportion of viable bacteria collected from the device among individuals (P>0.05). However, there were marked inter-individual variations in biofilms collected from the natural tooth among individuals (P<0.05).
Conclusions: In-situ biofilm growth within the new device, after 24 hours is highly representative of naturally occurring supragingival biofilms. Hence, this device could be used to evaluate natural oral biofilm development in situ, and the effect of various agents on biofilm development.
Methods: A customized intra-oral device was designed and constructed using thermoplastic material “ERKOFLEX”, vacuum formed on an upper jaw model, carrying two removable transparent “polystyrene wells” of 5mm x 3mm, on each side of the jaw. Five healthy volunteers wore the device continuously for 24 hours, apart from meal times. No toothbrushing was allowed during the test period. A total of 16 biofilm samples from device and 16 supragingival biofilm samples from corresponding, contra-lateral natural sites on teeth were collected. Viability of bacteria was quantified using real-time PCR. Parametric tests were employed to compare total microbial viability of the device and the tooth biofilm, and to compare the viability of biofilm microbiota between individuals.
Results: The device was able to grow viable biofilm as confirmed by viability PCR. There was non-significant difference in the total proportion of viable/non-viable bacteria collected from device and the natural tooth surface (P>0.05) after 24 h. (Mean {SD} delta Ct of device and tooth were 2.23 {2.11}and 1.21{1.06}, respectively). There was also non-significant difference in the proportion of viable bacteria collected from the device among individuals (P>0.05). However, there were marked inter-individual variations in biofilms collected from the natural tooth among individuals (P<0.05).
Conclusions: In-situ biofilm growth within the new device, after 24 hours is highly representative of naturally occurring supragingival biofilms. Hence, this device could be used to evaluate natural oral biofilm development in situ, and the effect of various agents on biofilm development.