Endodontic Infection

Question 1

infection to the pulp is generally secondary to what?

Answer 1

Tooth infections/trauma

e.g. caries - streptococci and lactocacilli

Question 2

Endodontic infections are derived from what kind of microflora?

Answer 2

Endogenous bacteria (bacteria from the mouth)

Is an opportunistic infection

Question 3

Describe the type of immune response you get from an endodontic infection.

Answer 3

• get an exacerbated immune response
• ultimately you have a biofilm
• get an acute phase of infection and then a chronic heightened immune response

Question 4

Describe the microbes found in primary endodontic infections.

Answer 4

• polmicrobial
• sominated by gram -ve anaerobic rods
• E. faecalis found in 4-40%

Question 6

What microbes are found in secondary endodontic infections?

Answer 6

• E. Faecalis
• predominately gram +ve microorganisms

Question 7

What type of bacteria is E. faecalis?

Answer 7

• gram +ve occus
• anaerobe

Question 8

What are some virulence factors of E. faecalis?

Answer 8

• aggregative
• adhesive
• biofilm formation
• cytolysin (releases toxins)
• lipotechoic acid release (is pro-inflammatory)
• Gelainase (can degrade gelatin)
• superoxide formation

Question 9

Cocci species can do what? (dentine tubules)

Answer 9

• penetrate down into dentine tubules
• If given nutrition after treatment can restart disease process

Question 10

Why is it so difficult to be certain what causes endodontic infections?

Answer 10

-intergrity of sampling

How do you ensure there is no contamination

Can try use rubber dams etc but almways going to have saliva contamination etc

Question 11

What management considerations should you think about when treating endodontic infections?

Answer 11

• Need to mechanically treat the tooth (or extract) to disrupt the biofilm
• need to eradicate the biofilm/disesae fully or else it could come back

Question 12

What antimicrobials can be use in RCT and what produces the best results?

Answer 12

• NaOCl
• EDTA

Best = both