Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
A 1.5 Hour Procedure for Identification of Enterococcus Species Directly from Blood Cultures
Published on: February 10, 2011
Detection of Enterococcus faecalis in Necrotic Teeth Root Canals by Culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction Methods
Dilsah Cogulu1, Atac Uzel, Ozant Oncag
1Ege University, School of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics, Bornova-Izmir,TURKEY.
Insights
Enterococcus faecalis was detected in root canals of deciduous and permanent teeth using culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Both methods confirmed E. faecalis presence, with PCR showing slightly higher detection rates in endodontic infections.
Area of Science:
- Endodontology
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Dentistry
Background:
- Enterococcus faecalis is a common bacterium implicated in endodontic infections.
- Understanding its prevalence in deciduous and permanent teeth is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of Enterococcus faecalis in endodontic infections.
- To compare culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for detection.
- To assess prevalence in both deciduous and permanent teeth.
Main Methods:
- 145 children (aged 5-13) with necrotic teeth were included.
- Root canal samples were analyzed using both culture and PCR techniques.
- E. faecalis presence was evaluated in deciduous and permanent teeth.
Main Results:
- E. faecalis was detected in 57% (83/145) of necrotic teeth.
- Culture detected E. faecalis in 18/83 teeth, while PCR detected it in 22/83 teeth.
- A statistically significant difference in E. faecalis presence was noted between deciduous and permanent teeth (P=0.03 for culture, P=0.02 for PCR).
Conclusions:
- Both culture and PCR are sensitive methods for detecting E. faecalis in root canals.
- The study highlights the presence of E. faecalis in endodontic infections of primary and permanent teeth.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Enterococcus faecalis in endodontic infections in both deciduous and permanent teeth by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.
Methods:
A total of 145 children aged 5-13 years old were involved in this study. The presence of E. faecalis in necrotic deciduous and permanent teeth root canals was studied using culture and polymerase chain reaction methods.
Results:
Among 145 molar teeth, 57% (n=83) presented necrotic asymptomatic pulp tissues and were included in this study. Culture and PCR methods detected the test species in 18 and 22 of 83 teeth involved, respectively. E. faecalis was cultured from 8 (18%) of 45 necrotic deciduous teeth and from 10 (26%) of 38 necrotic permanent teeth. PCR detection identified the target species in 10 (22%) and 12 (32%) of necrotic deciduous and permanent teeth respectively. Statistically significant difference in the presence of E. faecalis in deciduous and permanent teeth was found by culture and PCR methods (P=0.03 and 0.02, respectively). The difference in the presence of E. faecalis between two different methods was not statistically significant (P>.05).
Conclusions:
The results of the present study confirm that both culture and PCR methods are sensitive to detect E. faecalis in root canals.
