In vivo oral biofilm analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy: methodological approaches

The scientific community is showing an increasing interest in exploring the in vivo formation of the undisturbed human oral biofilm, because understanding the processes involved may open new avenues for interfering with the pathogenic properties of biofilms. The present chapter is focused on in vivo human models of undisturbed oral biofilm analysed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The different types of oral appliances and substrates used, the several microbiological and microscopic methods applied in combination with CLSM, as well as CLSM technical aspects are discussed. Finally, a new microscopic technique is described, the so called, confocal endomicroscopy, which will offer numerous exciting opportunities for the in vivo microscopic investigation in the field of Dentistry.