Novel Strategies for Caries Control - Volume II

Given the success of the Research Topic Novel Strategies for Caries Control Volume I and the rapidly evolving subject area, we are pleased to announce the launch of Volume II.

Dental plaque biofilm is usually defined as communities of dental surface or interface attached oral microbes that wrapped in matrix. It serves as an initial factor of a sequence of oral diseases including dental caries, a chronic infectious disease that poses significant public health concerns. As one kind of diseases that seriously jeopardized health, dental caries is not only an oral problem, but also associated with systemic disease. Based on caries ecology hypothesis, the imbalance in oral biofilm triggers caries development, making biofilm control a key to caries control. Though we have conducted plenty of research and mass clinical practice for caries control by targeting oral biofilms, current status of this disease is discouraging. In addition to protective biofilm matrix, factors such as slow oral microbial growth, stress responses activation and persisted cell, microbial resistance also contribute to the recalcitrance of biofilms. For example, chlorhexidine, a kind of classical antimicrobial agent used in clinical practice, can result in resistance in oral bacteria. Similar concerns apply to quaternary ammonium salt, which can modify dental filling materials forming lone term, non-releasing anti-microbial dental materials. Thus, current strategies for caries management are still insufficient. In the Post-Antibiotic Era, there is an urgent need for development of novel strategies including novel antibacterial agents or molecules, dental materials, potential targets and technologies for caries control by targeting oral biofilms.

The aim of this Research Topic is to assemble original research articles and reviews that address novel strategies for caries control. Specific aspects of interest include novel antibacterial agents or molecules that inhibit biofilm formation, promote biofilm dispersal, or control biofilm ecology. Additionally, we seek research on new controlled-release or non-releasing anti-biofilm dental filling materials for secondary caries prevention. Other areas of focus include identifying novel potential targets within biofilms, such as the biofilm matrix, microbial elements, or genes, and employing innovative anti-biofilm technologies that differ from classical methods for caries control.

We welcome submissions on the subtopics below:
•Novel antibacterial agents or molecules for caries control by targeting biofilms.
•Novel anti-biofilm dental materials for caries control.
•Novel potential targets within biofilms for caries control.
•Novel anti-biofilm technologies for caries control.