Evaluation of Presence of Bacteria in Pulps of Luxated Teeth

Necrotic pulp in traumatized teeth leads to periradicular pathosis, external inflammatory root resorption and arrested tooth development. The most important factor mediating these changes is the presence of microorganisms and its products. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate, using histological methods, the presence of bacteria in necrotic pulps extirpated from luxated permanent teeth with intact crown. METHODS: During the sample collection the tooth was isolated with rubber dam and the field was disinfected with 30% H2O2 and 5% tincture of iodine. All the pulp samples were kept in 10% neutral buffered formalin before being processed for microscopic evaluation. The slides with pulp sections were stained with Brown and Brenn technique to verify the presence of bacteria and with Hematoxylin and Eosin to check for histological alterations. RESULTS: The univariate (Fisher Exact Test) demonstrated no statistically significant difference between the type of luxation injury and the presence of bacteria in the pulp tissue (p=0,355), which was positive in 82% of the specimens. Amongst the avulsed teeth, no statistically significant difference was noticed between the presence of bacteria and the stage of root development (p=0,624), the extra oral period (p=0,547) and the storage media (p=0,266). Inflammatory cells were noticed in 75% of the pulps. There was no statistically significant difference between the presence of inflammatory cells and the type of luxation injury (p=1,000). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of bacteria and inflammatory cells were observed in most of the pulps of luxated permanent teeth.