The Presence of Microorganisms in the Granulomatous Tissue of Chronic Periapical Lesions

Abstract

Apical periodontitis is a sequel to endodontic infection and manifests itself as the host defense response to microbial challenge emanating from the root canal system to the periapical tissue. It is viewed as a dynamic encounter between microbial factors and host defenses at the interface between infected radicular pulp and periodontal ligament that results in local inflammation, resorption of hard tissues, destruction of other periapical tissues, and eventual formation of various histopathological categories of apical periodontitis, commonly referred to as periapical lesions. In the case of chronic periodontitis, proliferating epithelium can build a barrier at the root apex, preventing pulpal microorganisms from spreading out into the alveolar bone. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the literature relating to the presence of microorganisms in the granulomatous tissue of chronic periapical lesions.

Keywords

• apical periodontitis
• periapical lesions
• periapical granuloma
• granulomatous tissue
• microorganisms