Vocabulary – Development of a MWCNT-DAO Biosensor for Periodontal Disease

Vocabulary flashcards covering the essential terms and definitions related to periodontal disease, oral microbiology, biomarkers, and biosensor development from the lecture notes.

MWCNT-DAO Biosensor

A diagnostic device that combines multi-walled carbon nanotubes with diamine oxidase to electrochemically detect cadaverine.

Cadaverine

A foul-smelling polyamine (1,5-diaminopentane) whose elevated levels in saliva/GCF indicate periodontal disease activity.

Periodontal Disease

Inflammatory disorders of the periodontium initiated by microbial biofilms, leading to tissue and bone destruction.

Oral Cavity

The complex anatomical space containing hard and soft tissues that support digestion, speech and respiration.

Gingiva

The gum tissue that surrounds the teeth and overlays the alveolar bone.

Mucosa

Moist epithelial lining of the oral cavity’s soft tissues such as cheeks and tongue.

Periodontium

Collective term for tooth-supporting tissues: gingiva, root cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone.

Root Cementum

Mineralized tissue covering the tooth root that anchors periodontal ligament fibres.

Periodontal Ligament

Fibrous connective tissue attaching cementum to alveolar bone, providing tooth support and shock absorption.

Alveolar Bone

Jaw bone that houses tooth sockets and is resorbed during advanced periodontitis.

Saliva

Protective, lubricating oral fluid secreted by major and minor salivary glands; contains electrolytes, mucins and antibodies.

Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF)

Inflammatory exudate found in the sulcus; increases during periodontal disease and carries biomarkers.

Oral Microbiome

Entire genomic collection of microorganisms inhabiting the oral cavity—the body’s second-largest microbial community.

Core Microbiome

Microbial species consistently found in all individuals’ oral cavities.

Variable Microbiome

Microbial species that differ between individuals due to lifestyle and environmental pressures.

Biofilm

Structured microbial community attached to a surface and embedded in self-produced matrix.

Dental Plaque

Oral bacterial biofilm on tooth surfaces; primary etiological factor for gingivitis and periodontitis.

Periodontitis

Microbially driven, chronic inflammatory disease causing periodontal pocket formation and supporting tissue loss.

Gingival Pocket

Pathologically deepened sulcus formed by apical migration of junctional epithelium during periodontitis.

Dysbiosis

Microbial imbalance or disruption of the normal microbiota leading to disease.

Polymicrobial Synergy and Dysbiosis Model (PSD)

Concept that cooperative interactions among diverse microbes drive periodontal dysbiosis and tissue destruction.

Red Complex

Highly pathogenic consortium (P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, T. denticola) linked to advanced periodontitis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis

Gram-negative anaerobe of the red complex noted for immune evasion and cadaverine production.

Tannerella forsythia

Red complex Gram-negative anaerobe contributing to late-stage periodontal biofilms.

Treponema denticola

Spirochete member of the red complex associated with deep periodontal pockets.

Systemic Disease

Condition affecting multiple organs that may be influenced by oral pathogens and metabolites.

Biomarker

Measurable biological molecule indicating normal or pathogenic processes or responses to treatment.

Exposure Biomarker

Indicator assessing health risks from environmental or lifestyle exposures.

Disease Biomarker

Molecule used for screening, diagnosing or monitoring disease progression.

Biofluid

Body fluid (e.g., blood, saliva, urine) analyzed to detect biomarkers.

Polyamines

Organic cations (putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine) involved in microbial metabolism and signalling.

Putrescine

Polyamine precursor of spermidine/spermine; elevated in chronic renal failure and periodontal disease.

Spermidine

Triamine polyamine formed from putrescine; participates in cell growth and differentiation.

Spermine

Tetraamine polyamine derived from spermidine; regulates nucleic acid and membrane stability.

Bleeding on Probing

Clinical sign of inflammation where gentle periodontal probing causes gingival bleeding.

Clinical Attachment Level (CAL)

Measurement from cementoenamel junction to pocket base indicating periodontal support loss.

Pocket Depth Analysis

Assessment of sulcus depth with a probe to evaluate periodontal disease severity.

Plaque Index

Scoring system quantifying dental plaque accumulation on tooth surfaces.

Gingival Sulcus

Natural shallow groove between tooth and gingiva; becomes deeper during disease.

Keystone Bacteria

Microbial species whose low-abundance presence disproportionately shapes community pathogenicity.

Polymicrobial Synergy

Cooperative interaction among different microbes enhancing community virulence.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Long-term reduction in kidney function (≥3 months) often measured by GFR.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

Estimate of kidney filtering capacity, calculated using serum biomarkers like creatinine.

Serum Creatinine

Muscle-derived waste product; elevated blood levels signal impaired kidney function.

Cystatin C

Low-molecular-weight protein filtered by kidneys; elevated serum levels indicate reduced GFR.

Transient Bacteraemia

Short-lived presence of bacteria in bloodstream following activities like toothbrushing or dental work.

Metastatic Infection

Infection established at a distant site after microbial dissemination through the circulation.

Biosensor

Analytical device combining a biological recognition element with a signal transducer for rapid detection.

MWCNT (Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube)

Cylindrical nanostructure of concentric graphene layers used to enhance biosensor conductivity.

DAO (Diamine Oxidase)

Enzyme that oxidatively deaminates polyamines like cadaverine, producing measurable signals.

Periodontal Diagnostic Biomarker

Molecule in saliva/GCF whose concentration reflects periodontal disease activity (e.g., cadaverine).

Inflammatory Exudate

Protein-rich fluid, such as GCF, that escapes vascular system during inflammation.

Junctional Epithelium

Epithelial attachment between tooth and gingiva that migrates apically during periodontitis.

Hard Tissues (Oral)

Mineralized structures such as teeth and alveolar bone.

Soft Tissues (Oral)

Mucosal structures like cheeks, tongue, and gingiva.

Mastication

Process of chewing, aided by oral cavity structures and saliva.

Putrefaction

Decomposition of animal tissue associated with foul-smelling compounds like cadaverine.

Alveolar Bone Resorption

Loss of jaw bone height due to inflammatory destruction in periodontitis.

Leukocyte Inhibition

Suppression of white blood cell activity; cadaverine can inhibit leukocyte function, aiding bacterial survival.

Periodontal Probing

Clinical technique of inserting a probe into the gingival sulcus to assess pocket depth.