Protein and bacteria binding to exposed root surfaces and the adjacent enamel surfaces in vivo.

Exposure of root surfaces due to inflammatory tissue breakdown is a clinical characteristic of periodontitis. The gingival margin may further recede during treatment. Pellicles and early dental plaque on enamel surfaces of periodontitis patients have previously been described. The binding properties of exposed root surfaces, which may affect the incorporation of proteins from especially the GCF into the enamel pellicle and thereby early dental plaque formation are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to examine if exposed root surfaces could affect pellicle and initial dental plaque formation on the enamel surface by the analysis of proteins and early adhering bacteria binding to the exposed root surfaces and to the adjacent, gingival enamel surface. Supragingival pellicle and plaque samples were taken from exposed root surfaces and the adjacent enamel surfaces in eleven surgically treated periodontitis patients. For comparison, samples were taken from enamel surfaces of teeth not in need of treatment. Additionally, subgingival bacterial samples were taken. Pellicle proteins were analysed by SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting and image analysis, and bacterial samples by culturing. Significantly more plasma proteins and bacteria were found on the exposed root surfaces than on the enamel. The depth of the gingival recessions was negatively correlated to the amount of plasma proteins in the enamel pellicle. Actinomyces spp. were most frequently found on the exposed root surfaces. The total viable counts and streptococci (%TVC) were positively correlated between subgingival samples and samples from the root surface and enamel of surgically treated teeth. A positive correlation was also found for the findings of Gram-negative anaerobes in subgingival samples and samples from the enamel surface. Our findings suggest that an exposed root surface has binding properties different from an enamel surface and could affect early biofilm formation on the adjacent enamel surface.