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Persistent extra‐radicular bacterial biofilm in endodontically treated human teeth: scanning electron microscopy analysis after apical surgery
Author(s) -
Sousa Bruno Carvalho de,
Gomes Fábio de Almeida,
Ferreira Cláudio Maníglia,
Rocha Márcia Maria de Negreiros Pinto,
Barros Eduardo Bede,
Albuquerque Diana Santana de
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.22847
Subject(s) - root canal , apicoectomy , dentistry , apex (geometry) , endodontic retreatment , scanning electron microscope , endodontic therapy , biofilm , endodontics , medicine , materials science , biology , anatomy , bacteria , composite material , genetics
Biofilms are the main cause of endodontic failures. Even the best executed endodontic treatment can fail, when the infection is resistant to treatment or when it is located in inaccessible areas, such as the external surface of the root apex. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, by scanning electron microscopy, the presence of bacterial biofilm on endodontically treated teeth considered clinical failures and suitable for apical surgery. Root apices were collected from 20 teeth undergoing apical surgery and one negative control and analyzed under SEM. Digital photomicrographs of the root apices of 21 specimens at different magnifications were taken. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Apical biofilms were observed in 100% of root canal treatments considered endodontic failure. Topographical analysis of the root apices revealed areas of resorption, microcracks, and apical foramina in 90%, 80%, and 50% of cases, respectively. Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that endodontic failures present bacterial biofilm in areas inaccessible to conventional endodontic treatment, such as the external surfaces of the root apex.