title: In vitro bacterial penetration of coronally unsealed endodontically treated teeth.
abstract: Forty-five root canals were cleaned, shaped, and then obturated with gutta-percha and root canal sealer, using a lateral condensation technique. The coronal portions of the root filling materials were placed in contact with Staphylococcus epidermidis and Proteus vulgaris. The number of days required for these bacteria to penetrate the entire root canals was determined. Over 50% of the root canals were completely contaminated after 19-day exposure to S. epidermidis. Fifty percent of the root canals were also totally contaminated when the coronal surfaces of their fillings were exposed to P. vulgaris for 42 days.
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University School of Medicine, CA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torabinejad
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ung
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Kettering
mesh_terms: D003481:Cuspid; D003763:Dental Leakage; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D011514:Proteus vulgaris; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006171:Gutta-Percha