Evaluation of the presence of microorganisms from root canal of teeth submitted to retreatment due to prosthetic reasons and without evidence of apical periodontitis.

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of microorganisms in the root canals (RC) of teeth submitted to endodontic retreatment due to prosthetic reasons and without evidence of apical periodontitis.

Material And Methods: Twenty teeth referred to endodontic retreatment due to prosthetic reasons and without evidence of apical periodontitis were included in this study. Gutta-percha (GP) was collected from each third of the RC. After GP removal, microbial samples were also collected from the full extension of RC using paper points and files. The samples were cultivated in Fastidious Anaerobe Agar and the colony-forming units (CFU/mL) were counted. They were also semi-quantitatively analyzed by checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization using 40 DNA bacterial probes.

Results: Microorganisms were found in all samples. The coronal third of GP was more contaminated than the apical third (p ≤ 0.05). There was prevalence of Enterococcus hirae and Enterococcus faecalis in all RC thirds and also in the samples collected from the full extension of RCs.

Conclusion: Microorganisms were found in all cases referred to endodontic retreatment due to prosthetic reasons and without evidence of apical periodontitis. Enterococcus was the genus most frequently detected.

Clinical Significance: An endodontic retreatment should be considered before replacing a prosthesis.