Endodontic infections: management of pathogenic biofilms

Nassar, Rania Issa 2022. Endodontic infections: management of pathogenic biofilms. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Endodontic infections are biofilm-associated hence the challenge in eradication of such infections with a high risk of losing the infected tooth. The mainstay of root canal treatment involves mechanical debridement and use of chemical irrigants. However, irrigants currently employed are known to have poor biocompatibility with host cells. In addition, these chemicals may present wider health and environmental risks. Biofilms’ high tolerance to these irrigants means that treatment failure is commonplace. Therefore, there is pressing need for identification of an improved irrigant. Phytic acid (IP6), a natural agent that has been proposed as a potential endodontic irrigant due to its chelating activity. However, its antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity is poorly studied. Therefore, the overarching aim of this research was to investigate antimicrobial characteristics of IP6. This study focused on pathogenic microorganisms associated with endodontic infections and included assessment of organisms from root canals with necrotic dental pulp. IP6 antimicrobial activity was assessed against planktonic cultures and in vitro generated biofilms of infection-associated pathogens. IP6 was antimicrobial against planktonic cultures and biofilms at low concentrations and exhibited bactericidal activity against E. faecalis with a 30 s contact time. IP6 also had antibiofilm effects on mature mono and dual species biofilms. The microbiota of root canals in teeth with necrotic pulp and periapical disease from patients of the Gulf region had high bacterial diversity and contained several antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors. The in vitro biofilm models generated from these clinical samples on hydroxyapatite (HA) coupons were reproducible and polymicrobial. IP6 exhibited antibiofilm action against these developed biofilms. Importantly, IP6 resulted in substantial inhibition of dual-species (E. faecalis and C. albicans) biofilm formation when used as a pre-conditioning agent for HA coupons. The overall results of this PhD research highlight the antimicrobial properties of IP6 and its potential for exploitation in biofilm inhibition and management.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Dentistry
Subjects:	R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	24 March 2023
Last Modified:	15 Apr 2024 14:43
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/157927

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