The Role of the Microbial Biofilm in the Pathogenesis of Periodontal Disease: An Update

Corresponding Author: Ioannou, A.L. Advanced Education Program in Periodontology, University of Minnesota, USA Email: [email protected] Abstract: Microbial biofilm is generally considered to be an etiologic factor for the diseases of the periodontium and has been and continues to be the main focus of avid periodontal researchers. Based on our current understanding of the role of the biofilm in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease, each different species seems to have a specific role to fulfill in this community and this chain of inter-connecting and intimately related interactions converge to shape and stabilize a disease-provoking microbiota. The aim of this review paper is to answer the specific question: “What is our current understanding on the role of the biofilm in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease”.