ABSTRACT
Abstract Dental plaque represents one of the most complex bacterial biofilms that exist in nature. These bacterial communities represent an ideal system to investigate the interactions between different members of a heterogeneous population. The utilization of both molecular genetic as well as various microscopic approaches has suggested that biofilm formation represents a genetically regulated developmental program. Genes involved in attachment to inert surfaces, extracellular polysaccharide synthesis, quorum sensing, detachment, as well as those involved in microcolony interactions have all been demonstrated to play a role in biofilm development in bacteria. Some of these genes have also been shown to be important in biofilm development by both gram-positive facultative anaerobes involved in supragingival plaque formation and gram-negative obligate anaerobic bacteria present in subgingival plaque. In addition, evidence for cell-cell communication by means of gene transfer as well as signaling molecules has also been demonstrated. This information may be useful in designing new strategies to regulate dental plaque formation and subsequently dental caries and periodontitis.
