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Clinical success of dental and craniofacial reconstructions is highly influenced by the interaction between the restoration and the oral environment. This interaction is characterized by a feedback mechanism involving the restorative material and host-related factors. The interface between the restorative material and host's tissue influences the microbial ecology, and the host-related factors also have an essential role in the integrity of the restoration. Both factors are critical for the maintenance of health-associated state. Host-related factors are mainly represented by the saliva (proteins, immunity, buffering capacity) and oral microbial composition and ecology (biofilms). This chapter focuses on the discussion of the biology of the oral environment and its complex interaction with dental and craniofacial reconstructions.

This study sought to investigate the surface roughness and the S ence of Streptococcus mutans (in the presence and absence of saliva) to ceramics and composites. The early dental biofilms formed in situ on the materials were illustrated, using scanning electron ascopy (SEM). Feldspathic and leucite/feldspathic ceramics and microhybrid and microfilled composites were evaluated. Human dental enamel was used as the control. Standardized specimens of the miaterials were produced and surface roughness was analyzed. The dhesion tests were carried out in 24-well plates and colony forming units (CFU/mL) were evaluated. Values of roughness (microm) ,adherence (CFU/mL) were analyzed statistically. Of all the surfaces tested, enamel was the roughest. Leucite/feldspathic ceramics were rougher than the feldspathic ceramic, while composites were similar statistically. Enamel offered the highest level of adherence to uncoated and saliva-coated specimens, while the leucite/feldspathic ceramic demonstrated greater adherence than the feldspathic ceramic and the composites were similar statically. The rougher restorative materials increased the adherence of S. mutans on the material surfaces.