Abstract
Biofilms are the main cause of endodontic failures. Even the best
executed endodontic treatment can fail, when the infection is resistant
to treatment or when it is located in inaccessible areas, such as the
external surface of the root apex. The purpose of this study was to
evaluate, by scanning electron microscopy, the presence of bacterial
biofilm on endodontically treated teeth considered clinical failures and
suitable for apical surgery. Root apices were collected from 20 teeth
undergoing apical surgery and one negative control and analyzed under
SEM. Digital photomicrographs of the root apices of 21 specimens at
different magnifications were taken. Data were analyzed using
descriptive statistics. Apical biofilms were observed in 100% of root
canal treatments considered endodontic failure. Topographical analysis
of the root apices revealed areas of resorption, microcracks, and apical
foramina in 90%, 80%, and 50% of cases, respectively. Within the
limits of this study, it can be concluded that endodontic failures
present bacterial biofilm in areas inaccessible to conventional
endodontic treatment, such as the external surfaces of the root apex.
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