Endodontic Biofilm - An Enigma to the dentist : A review article

Abstract

Microbiota are found in highly organized and complex entities, known as biofilms, the characteristics of which are fundamentally different from microbes in planktonic suspensions. Bacterial etiology has been confirmed for common oral diseases such as caries and periodontal and endodontic infections. Root canal infections are biofilm mediated. The biofilm community not only gives bacteria effective protection against the host's defense system but also makes them more resistant to a variety of disinfecting agents used as oral hygiene products or in the treatment of infections. Understanding the virulence of these endodontic microbiota within biofilm is essential for the development of novel therapeutic procedures for intracanal disinfection.