Structural studies of microcosm dental plaques grown under different nutritional conditions

The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of intact oral biofi lms using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Mixed-species biofilms were grown on enamel discs in a constant depth film fermenter. The biofilm s were fed with a mucin-containing artificial saliva with or without sucros e supplementation. Biofilms were examined using a Wild-Leitz CLSM, operatin g in reflected light mode. The microstructure of non-supplemented biofilms was revealed to be complex, with stacks of bacteria developing over time, s eparated by clear channels. Sucrose-supplemented biofilms appeared to colon ise the substratum more rapidly. The results of this study have shown that using CLSM it is possible to examine the structure of oral biofilms grown u nder conditions similar to those which would exist in vivo. (C) 2000 Federa tion of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B .V. All rights reserved.