Microbiological findings of infected root canals and adjacent periodontal pockets in teeth with advanced periodontitis.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the flora from the root canals and periodontal pockets of teeth with advanced periodontal disease in order to compare the predominant cultivable microflora from the canals with those found in the adjacent periodontal pockets. Three samples were collected from each of sixteen patients, one from the root canal and two from the adjacent periodontal pocket in two different sites. Criteria for inclusion in the survey were pocket depth of greater than or equal to 7 mm, intact clinical crowns, and lack of periapical lesions. The study has demonstrated that the microorganisms present in the root canals of caries-free teeth with advanced periodontitis generally resembled those found in the adjacent periodontal pockets. The similarity in the recovery of organisms in the current study suggests that the pocket could be the source of the root canal infections. Further investigation is needed to clarify whether such factors as duration of periodontitis and age of the patient play a role in pulpal pathosis and whether the presence of specific bacterial species is also a factor in the etiology and pathogenesis of pulp disease.