A Microbiological Analysis of Patients with Chronic Periodontitis and Vital Pulp Tissue

Objectives: This study investigated the presence of microorganisms in root canals (RC) and periodontal pockets (PP) of patients with chronic periodontitis and positive pulp sensitivity.
Methods: Twenty-two samples were collected at three different times of endodontic therapy: before endodontic treatment, after chemical mechanical preparation (CMP) and after intracanal medication. Samples were divided in two groups according to the medication used: GI - Ca(OH) 2 + CLX (n = 11); GII - Ca(OH) 2 + saline solution (SS) (n = 11). The Checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique was used to identify differences in oral microbiome in pulp and periodontal pockets. Data were correlated by multiple linear regression (P<0.05).
Results: Bacteria were detected in both RC and PP, but in higher amount in PP. The data demonstrated differences type of bacteria in PP after use of different intracanal medication. Periodontal samples also differed in microbial profiles after intracanal medication, with significantly more gram-positive species.
Conclusions: Ours findings indicate that bacteria in PP seems to be a potent stimulus factor for the pulp tissue. Microorganisms, in the root canals of teeth with chronic periodontitis are in lower concentration than the ones found in the periodontal pockets. The periodontal disease seems to be a reservoir for pulp disease, suggesting that the pulp and periodontal pocket create a communication between them.