Enterococcus faecalis is a micro-organism that can survive extreme challenges. Its pathogenicity ranges from life-threatening diseases in compromised individuals to less severe conditions, such as infection of obturated root canals with chronic apical periodontitis. In the latter situation, the infecting organisms are partly shielded from the defense mechanisms of the body. In this article, we review the virulence factors of E. faecalis that may be related to endodontic infection and the periradicular inflammatory response. The most-cited virulence factors are aggregation substance, surface adhesins, sex pheromones, lipoteichoic acid, extracellular superoxide production, the lytic enzymes gelatinase and hyaluronidase, and the toxin cytolysin. Each of them may be associated with various stages of an endodontic infection as well as with periapical inflammation. While some products of the bacterium may be directly linked to damage of the periradicular tissues, a large part of the tissue damage is probably mediated by the host response to the bacterium and its products.

MCS, AH Plus and Grossman's sealer were effective in reducing the number of cultivable cells of E. faecalis. Calcium hydroxide-based sealers, Sealapex and Apexit were ineffective in this short-term experiment.

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Root and canal symmetry in the mandibular anterior teeth of patients attending a dental clinic: CBCT study Abstract: The aims of this study were to evaluate the number of roots/root canals in the mandibular anterior teeth of a Turkish population, to assess the relationship between gender or age and the frequency of two canals in a single root, and to determine the symmetry in root/root canal numbers between contralateral sides among patients. Cone-beam computed tomography images (n = 1128; 6253 teeth) taken at the Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology of the Faculty of Dentistry of Gazi University were examined by three observers and a supervisor, all of whom were blinded to patient gender and age. Axial, sagittal, and cross-sectional slices with a thickness of 1 mm were used. Numbers of roots and canals for each type of tooth were recorded. Most teeth had a single root and single root canal. Roots with two canals were more frequent in the incisors (14.9%, 17.2%, and 6.1% of the central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines, respectively). Teeth with two roots were more frequent in the canines (3.1% vs. 0% or 0.1%). Females more often had canines with double root canals (p < 0.001). When at least one tooth had two root canals, bilateral symmetry between contralateral teeth was found in 45.0%, 29.0%, and 28.0% of cases for central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines, respectively. Patients older than 56 years had fewer teeth with double root canals (p ≤ 0.001). A small proportion of the mandibular anterior teeth had two roots or root canals. Double root canals were mostly unilateral. Age and gender were associated with the number of root canals.

The aim of this study was to compare the amount of apical extrusion during manual instrumentation and engine-driven rotary instrumentation in teeth with disrupted apical constriction. Fifty-two teeth were divided into two groups comprising 26 teeth each. Teeth in each group were further divided into two sub-groups, the apices of which were enlarged approximately to a diameter of 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm. One group was instrumented using standardized technique with K-files and the other with ProFile .04 Taper Series 29, while irrigating with sodium hypochlorite. Glass vial model was modified for collection of extruded debris and irrigant as well as to integrate an electronic apex locator to the experimental assemble. The statistical analysis using Student's t test revealed no significant difference between instrumentation with K-files and ProFile .04 taper files (p > 0.05). There was a tendency with both techniques to extrude apically more material as the diameter of the apical patency increased.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of operating microscope in combination with ultrasonics increased the rate of second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal detection in permanent maxillary first molar teeth. A hundred extracted human maxillary first molars were assessed. After location of the main canals, the MB2 canal was sought in all teeth first without microscopy, then with the aid of the operating microscope and finally with the combined use of the operating microscope and ultrasonics. With these techniques, the MB2 canal was detected in 62%, 67% and 74% of the teeth, respectively. The combination of the operating microscope and ultrasonics detected significantly more MB2 canals than when no microscopy was utilized (P < 0.05). Sectioning of the roots disclosed the presence of the MB2 canal in 82% of the teeth. Twenty-nine per cent of the teeth had a separate MB2 canal orifice and separate apical foramina. The results of this study suggested that the combined use of the operating microscope and ultrasonics increased the detection of MB2 canals in maxillary first permanent molars.

A minor increase in pH up to 8.5, which may be a consequence of insufficient treatment with alkaline medicaments such as calcium hydroxide, increases the collagen-binding ability of E. faecalis, in vitro. This can be a critical mechanism by which E. faecalis predominates in persistent endodontic infections.