Journal of Dental Research, Vol 55, 580-583, Copyright © 1976 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Epithelial cells associated with the development of dental plaque
N. Tinanoff and A. Gross
Transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used to study
desquamated epithelial cells in the developing and mature dental plaque.
Epithelial cells were found attached to enamel as early as one hour after
clean enamel cylinders were placed in the mouth, and they were seen in
great numbers after two days. These cells generally had bacteria attached
to their surfaces. Epithelial cells adsorbed to the surface of the enamel
appeared to alter their morphology, and mineralization of these structures
was also observed. Desquamated epithelial cells could play a role in the
initial bacterial colonization of tooth enamel since it is known that
bacteria selectively adsorb onto their surfaces. Hydroxyapatite may affect
the morphologic alteration of epithelial cells adsorbed to tooth enamel.
From the observation of developing and mature plaque samples, it seems that
certain suprasurface pelliclelike structures might be epithelial cells.
