Analysis of oral microbiota in non-vital teeth and clinically intact external surface from patients with severe periodontitis using Nanopore sequencing: a case study

Abstract

Periodontal diseases include a wide range of pathological conditions, damaging the supporting structures of the teeth. Origin and propagation of periodontal disease is believed to be caused by dysbiosis of the commensal oral microbiota. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of bacteria in the pulp cavity of teeth with severe periodontal disease with clinically intact external surface. Periodontal (P) and endodontic (E) tissue samples of root canals from six intact teeth of three patients were sampled for analysis of microbial population using Nanopore technology. Streptococcus was the predominant genus in E samples. Porphyromonas (33.4%, p = 0.047), Tannerella (41.7%, p = 0.042), and Treponema (50.0%, p = 0.0064) were significantly more present in P than in E samples. Some samples (E6 and E1) exhibited a remarkable difference in terms of microbial composition, whilst Streptococcus was a common signature in samples E2 to E5, all which were obtained from the same patient. In conclusion, bacteria were identified on both the root surface and the root canal system, thus demonstrating the possibility of bacteria to spread directly from the periodontal pocket to the root canal system even in the absence of crown’s loss of integrity.

Thyme Essential Oil As an Antibacterial Irrigant in Root Canal Treatment: In Vitro Preliminary Study

“…The oral cavity hosts various microorganisms and represents the habitat from which im-balances in the microbial flora can favor the onset of oral diseases such as caries, endodontic infections and periodontal diseases with possible systemic dissemination [1,2]. Therefore, the main goal of endodontic treatments is the prevention or repair of periapical pathology caused by these microorganisms [3][4][5][6][7]. To achieve intracanal disinfection and to promote periapical healing, "chemomechanical preparation" of the tooth is performed by mechanical instrumentation of the root canal space and the simultaneous use of chemical agents [8,9].…”