Microbial succession in subgingival plaque of man

A model system allowing study of microbial succession on a single tooth root is described. Three levels of the root were studied: the supragingival surface, an area of the root immediately apical to the gingival margin, and the apical one‐third of the root. Distinct differences among these three levels were noted with respect to microbial composition and microbial succession. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that environmental factors (oxygen tension, availability of certain growth factors, etc.) were the primary ecological determinants governing the development of plaque beneath the gingival margin.