ABSTRACT
Objective To examine Streptpcoccus mutans,Streptpcoccus sobrinus and Streptpcoccus sanguis in the early formation of native dental plaque biofilm. Methods An experimental dental plaque biofilm model in the oral cavity was established using enamel slabs. The spatial distribution of S. mutans, S.sobrinus and S. sanguis in the early colonization of dental plaque biofilms on the enamel surface was observed bv in situ, real-time and dynamic observations and optical sections utilizing confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM) and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH). The experiment data were analyzed with One-Way AVOVA, α=0.05 using SPSS11.5. Results Dental biofilm had a certain degree of thickness and various forms in three-dimensioned structure. The bacteria in the structure were sparse at the inner layers and the outer layers. In the middle layers the bacteria were closely compacted. There were many voids traversing from the outside of the biofilm to the enamel surface. At the initial stage of dental biofilm formation, the scanned average thickness of S. mutans,S. sobrinus and S. sanguis increased with time elapsing,the mean thicknesses of 1 h biofilms were 20.43 μm,11.50 μm and 14.76 μm,respectively,and those of 24 h were the thickest in terms of average level,the mean values were 70.25 μm,75.40 μm and 79.98 μm,respectively. Conclusion The fluorescence in situ hybridization combined with CLSM are thought to be convenient and sensitive to detect S. mutans, S. sobrinus and S. sanguis in the dental plaque biofilms.