Antimicrobial Peptides as an Alternative Treatment for Oral Cavity Infections?

Abstract The ability of microorganisms to form biofilm structures is at the root of many diseases of the oral cavity. Biofilm – in particular its abnormal growth in combination with other factors, such as impaired functioning of specific and non-specific defence mechanisms of the human body or disorders in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the oral microbiota – may lead to the development of caries, gingivitis or periodontitis. Treatment of this type of infections is a challenge for modern dentistry, also due to the increasing resistance of microorganisms. The above requires a search for alternative therapeutic methods. This paper presents a general characteristics of antimicrobial peptides, briefly characterizes oral diseases and provides basic information on infection therapy in dentistry. It also discusses the possibilities of therapeutic use of natural and synthetic antimicrobial peptides in dentistry.