How long does pellicle take to accumulate on the tooth?

• A. 5 minutes
• B. 20 minutes
• C. 2 hours
• D. 24 hours

Answer: (B)

Pellicle formation is a rapid adsorption of salivary glycoproteins onto the tooth’s enamel surface, creating a thin conditioning film that facilitates future bacterial adhesion. The initial pellicle becomes detectable and well established in roughly twenty minutes after cleaning. This makes twenty minutes the best answer among the options.

Five minutes is likely too soon for a measurable pellicle to be fully formed, while two hours indicates a much thicker, more mature surface that already supports significant microbial colonization. Twenty-four hours would reflect a much more developed biofilm beyond the simple pellicle.