MICROBIOLOGY OF PULP

Question 1

What bacteria species are present in persistent infections/ secondary infection of already treated teeth?

Answer 1

Mainly gram +ve facultative anaerobes (can survive without O2)
- Enterococcus faecalis
- Fusobacterium nucleatum
- Streptococcus spp

Question 2

What bacteria species is star survivor of RCT/ most commonly found in persistent canal infections?

and what type of bacteria?

Answer 2

Enterococcus Faecalis

Gram + facultative anaerobe

Question 3

Properties of Enterococcus Faecalis

Answer 3

• Able to survive high alkaline environment (up to pH11.5), making it resistant to intracanal medicaments like CaOH
• Able to survive under nutrient-deprived conditions
• Able to invade dentinal tubules and binds to dentine
• Possess virulence factors that allows it to bind to dentinal tubules
• Forms biofilms