E. Faecalis Prevalence in Primary and Secondary Endodontic Infections: a Pre-post Microbial Analysis Following Chemo-mechanical Preparation

E. Faecalis Prevalence in Primary and Secondary Endodontic Infections: a Pre-post Microbial Analysis Following Chemo-mechanical Preparation

Post-treatment apical periodontitis is a fairly prevalent condition frequently caused by a persistent endodontic infection due to failure of the endodontic treatment. Microbial species in treated or untreated root canals were found to be different, with the former being less diverse and mainly characterized by Gram positive, facultative anaerobes bacteria than the latter. Enterococcus faecalis is the most frequently detected species in root-filled teeth in many studies (Zhang et al., 2015). In fact, E. Faecalis retains many virulence factors allowing adhesion to host cells and extracellular matrix, tissue invasion and damage through toxins release, as well as the ability to survive even in harsh environmental conditions. Further studies are needed to clarify E. faecalis prevalence among the different forms of pulpal and periapical lesions as well as its correlation with clinical symptoms.

Inclusion criteria:

• between the ages of 18 and 70;
• good systemic health.
• patients in need of an endodontic treatment/retreatment

Exclusion criteria:

• taking antibiotic therapy in the previous 3 months;
• presence of communication between the canal system and the oral cavity;
• teeth that are not perfectly isolated;
• teeth with probing depth >4 mm with positive BOP.