Skip to main content
. 2004;2(7):552–568. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro928

Figure 3. A model of oral biofilm formation.

Figure 3

The tooth surface is covered by an acquired pellicle comprised of lipids and proteins, including salivary agglutinin glycoprotein. The pellicle is recognized by primary colonizing bacteria (Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguis) that express receptors for salivary agglutinin glycoprotein. Other bacteria then colonize in a spatial and temporal manner as shown, using receptors and adhesins to eventually form dental plaque. Reproduced with permission from Ref. 194. © (2002) American Society for Microbiology.