Root Canal Infection and Endodontic Apical Disease

The outcome of endodontic treatment depends on the microbiological status of the root canal. In infected necrotic pulps, microorganisms are present within the root canal system and dentinal tubules, causing a apical inflammatory lesion called apical periodontitis. In these cases, endodontic treatment should be essentially directed toward the prevention and control of pulpal and apical infections. Miller, in 1890, was the first to demonstrate the presence of bacteria in necrotic human pulp tissue. In 1966, Moller established the importance of adequate isolation for microbiological sampling and various culture media for the recovery and identification of anaerobic microorganisms, providing more relevant information regarding the type of bacteria present in root canal systems. Apical periodontitis is not a self-healing disease. Untreated apical periodontitis may lead to a chronic infection of the oral tissues at locations closer to more vital organs than many other oral infections. © 2014 by John Wiley %26 Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

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