Oral microbial biofilm models and their application to the testing of anticariogenic agents

Abstract

Objectives This review paper evaluates the use of in vitro biofilm models for the testing of anticariogenic agents. Data Caries is a biofilm-mediated oral disease and in vitro biofilm models have been widely utilised to assess how anticariogenic or antimicrobial agents affect the de/remineralisation process of caries. The use of enamel or dentine substrata has enabled the assessment of the relationship between bacterial activity and caries lesion initiation and progression and how this relationship could be affected by the agent under study. Sources Only papers published in the English literature were reviewed. Study selection Both 'open' and 'closed' biofilm systems utilising either single ..