Atomic Force Microscopy of Typical Bacteria from Periodontal Biofilm

Methods: Atomic Force Microscope technique has been associated to this evaluation for morphologivally highlights the bacteria specie presented on the subgingival microflora plaque. Biofilms were sampled from 5 patients with periodontal pockets larger than 5 mm diagnosed as generalized periodontitis and from 5 patients with slight gingivitis. The selection of the samples were made in order to exclude patients with systemic condition, or treated with FANS, or that had been taking corticosteroid drugs or antibiotics in the last 6 months. 

Results: The presence of complex glycocalyx structures, bacteriophage-like vesicles, spirochetes (classic and cystic morphology) and bacterial co-aggregation has been proved by the study.

Conclusions: The advantage of AFM over the other methods currently in use for 3D analysis, like SEM that require fixation, dehydration, air drying and metal coating, is the very simple preparations of the biofilm’s slide that can be achieved in one step by air drying. In this preliminary study, the results showed all the advantages of AFM application for studying microorganisms and their interactions within subgingival biofilm in different periodontal conditions.