DENTAL HYGIENE PRINCIPLES EXAM
2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
4 types of soft deposits - ANS 1) Acquired Pellicle
2) Dental Biofilm
3) Material Alba
4) Food Debris
Acquired Pellicle - ANS ➔Thin, acellular, tenacious film
➔Formed of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids
➔Forms over all tooth surfaces and prosthesis, thickest at gingival margins and areas not easy
to maintain
-->2 types: supra & sub
Acquired pellicle formation - ANS ➔Begins immediately after exposure to saliva-fully formed
within 90 minutes
➔Composed of primarily glycoproteins that are selectively adsorbed by the hydroxyapatite of
the tooth surface
Supragingival pellicle - ANS ➔clear, translucent, insoluble
➔can take on extrinsic stain
➔when stained with disclosing agent, appears thin with pale staining
Subgingival Pellicle: - ANS ➔continuous with supragingival
➔can become embedded in areas of roughness
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, advantages of pellicle - ANS 1) Protective: provides a barrier against acids, impacting
remineralization and demineralization
2) Lubrication: keeps surfaces moist and prevents drying, which enhances the efficiency of
speech and mastication
disadvantages of pellicle - ANS 1) Nidus for bacteria: participates in biofilm formation by
aiding the adherence of microorganisms
2) Attachment of calculus: one mode of attachment is to the pellicle
dental biofilm - ANS ➔Dynamic, structured community of microorganisms, encapsulated in a
self-produced extra-cellular polymeric substance (EPS) which forms a matrix around
microcolonies
➔Matrix composed of polysaccharides, proteins, and other compounds-it protects the biofilm
from the host's immune system and antimicrobial
➔Separated by a network of nutrient channels
➔Adheres to the pellicle
➔Over 700 distinct microorganisms in the oral cavity
Stages in the formation of biofilm - ANS Stage I: Formation
Stage II: Bacterial Multiplication and Colonization
Stage III: Matrix formation
Stage IV: Biofilm growth
Stage V: Maturation
Stage 1 in formation of biofilm - ANS ➔initial attachment of planktonic bacteria to the
pellicle
➔Reversible
Stage 2: Bacterial multiplication and colonization of biofilm - ANS ➔Attachment using cell
adhesion
COPYRIGHT © 2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
4 types of soft deposits - ANS 1) Acquired Pellicle
2) Dental Biofilm
3) Material Alba
4) Food Debris
Acquired Pellicle - ANS ➔Thin, acellular, tenacious film
➔Formed of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids
➔Forms over all tooth surfaces and prosthesis, thickest at gingival margins and areas not easy
to maintain
-->2 types: supra & sub
Acquired pellicle formation - ANS ➔Begins immediately after exposure to saliva-fully formed
within 90 minutes
➔Composed of primarily glycoproteins that are selectively adsorbed by the hydroxyapatite of
the tooth surface
Supragingival pellicle - ANS ➔clear, translucent, insoluble
➔can take on extrinsic stain
➔when stained with disclosing agent, appears thin with pale staining
Subgingival Pellicle: - ANS ➔continuous with supragingival
➔can become embedded in areas of roughness
COPYRIGHT © 2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, advantages of pellicle - ANS 1) Protective: provides a barrier against acids, impacting
remineralization and demineralization
2) Lubrication: keeps surfaces moist and prevents drying, which enhances the efficiency of
speech and mastication
disadvantages of pellicle - ANS 1) Nidus for bacteria: participates in biofilm formation by
aiding the adherence of microorganisms
2) Attachment of calculus: one mode of attachment is to the pellicle
dental biofilm - ANS ➔Dynamic, structured community of microorganisms, encapsulated in a
self-produced extra-cellular polymeric substance (EPS) which forms a matrix around
microcolonies
➔Matrix composed of polysaccharides, proteins, and other compounds-it protects the biofilm
from the host's immune system and antimicrobial
➔Separated by a network of nutrient channels
➔Adheres to the pellicle
➔Over 700 distinct microorganisms in the oral cavity
Stages in the formation of biofilm - ANS Stage I: Formation
Stage II: Bacterial Multiplication and Colonization
Stage III: Matrix formation
Stage IV: Biofilm growth
Stage V: Maturation
Stage 1 in formation of biofilm - ANS ➔initial attachment of planktonic bacteria to the
pellicle
➔Reversible
Stage 2: Bacterial multiplication and colonization of biofilm - ANS ➔Attachment using cell
adhesion
COPYRIGHT © 2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
