Evaluation of Presence of Enterococcus faecalis in Root Canals of Deciduous Molars with Necrotic Pulp by Agar Culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Abstract

To assess the presence of Enterococcus faecalis in root canals of deciduous molars with necrotic pulp by agar culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. This is an experimental study, where a total of 120 endodontic samples were taken from deciduous molars with necrotic pulps. The presence of Enterococcus faecalis was assessed by culture, using Enterococcus confirmatory agar, and by PCR assay. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using McNemar's test. The presence of Enterococcus faecalis was detected in 20 samples (16.67% of total) by microbial culture and in 45 samples (37.5% of total) by PCR assay, with a statistically significant difference between the two methods (p < 0.001). Microbial culture and PCR both detect Enterococcus faecalis, with the latter detecting an additional 25 positive samples. In this study, PCR assay was significantly more sensitive than agar culture method in detecting the presence of Enterococcus faecalis in root canals of deciduous molars with necrotic pulp, that is, 37.5% of all samples. Importance of presence of Enterococcus faecalis in necrotic pulps of deciduous teeth, as it is primarily responsible for failure of endodontic treatment, thus helping clinicians to advocate the use of local drug delivery in primary teeth endodontics and also aids clinicians in choosing the most effective intracanal medication. Nalawade TM, Bhat KG, Kale AD, et al. Evaluation of Presence of Enterococcus faecalis in Root Canals of Deciduous Molars with Necrotic Pulp by Agar Culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(6):816-819.