DENTIN TUBULE INFECTION AND ENDODONTIC THERAPY IMPLICATIONS

A critical review of the literature suggests that the microenvironment of dentinal tubules appears to favour the selection of relatively few bacterial types irrespective or the aetiology of the infection proces s; coronal dental caries or pulpar necrosis. These bacteria may consti tute an important reservoir from which root canal infection and reinfe ction may occur following pulp necrosis or during and after endodontic treatment. Previous studies of this microflora have utilized microbio logical culture techniques which need to be supplemented by those that allow in situ demonstration as well as identification of the bacteria . Newer treatment strategies that are designed to eliminate this micro flora must include agents that can penetrate the dentinal tubules and destroy these microorganisms, since they are located in an area beyond the host defence mechanisms where they cannot be reached by systemica lly administered antimicrobial agents.