This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Love, R.M. Articles by Jenkinson, H.F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

INVASION OF DENTINAL TUBULES BY ORAL BACTERIA

¹ Department of Stomatology, University of Otago School of Dentistry, PO Box 647, Dunedin, New Zealand;
² Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol Dental School, Bristol BS1 2LY, United Kingdom

Correspondence: ^* corresponding author, robert.love{at}dent.otago.ac.nz;

Bacterial invasion of dentinal tubules commonly occurs when dentin is exposed following a breach in the integrity of the overlying enamel or cementum. Bacterial products diffuse through the dentinal tubule toward the pulp and evoke inflammatory changes in the pulpo-dentin complex. These may eliminate the bacterial insult and block the route of infection. Unchecked, invasion results in pulpitis and pulp necrosis, infection of the root canal system, and periapical disease. While several hundred bacterial species are known to inhabit the oral cavity, a relatively small and select group of bacteria is involved in the invasion of dentinal tubules and subsequent infection of the root canal space. Gram-positive organisms dominate the tubule microflora in both carious and non-carious dentin. The relatively high numbers of obligate anaerobes present-such as Eubacterium spp., Propionibacterium spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Peptostreptococcus micros, and Veillonella spp.-suggest that the environment favors growth of these bacteria. Gram-negative obligate anaerobic rods, e.g., Porphyromonas spp., are less frequently recovered. Streptococci are among the most commonly identified bacteria that invade dentin. Recent evidence suggests that streptococci may recognize components present within dentinal tubules, such as collagen type I, which stimulate bacterial adhesion and intra-tubular growth. Specific interactions of other oral bacteria with invading streptococci may then facilitate the invasion of dentin by select bacterial groupings. An understanding the mechanisms involved in dentinal tubule invasion by bacteria should allow for the development of new control strategies, such as inhibitory compounds incorporated into oral health care products or dental materials, which would assist in the practice of endodontics.

Key Words: Dentinal tubule • endodontic infections • oral bacterial adhesion • caries • invasion of dentin

Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, Vol. 13, No. 2, 171-183 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/154411130201300207


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R.I. Soden, T.M. Botero, C.T. Hanks, and J.E. Nor Angiogenic Signaling Triggered by Cariogenic Bacteria in Pulp Cells Journal of Dental Research, September 1, 2009; 88(9): 835 - 840. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O.V. Horst, K.A. Tompkins, S.R. Coats, P.H. Braham, R.P. Darveau, and B.A. Dale TGF-{beta}1 Inhibits TLR-mediated Odontoblast Responses to Oral Bacteria Journal of Dental Research, April 1, 2009; 88(4): 333 - 338. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.-J. Staquet, S.H. Durand, E. Colomb, A. Romeas, C. Vincent, F. Bleicher, S. Lebecque, and J.-C. Farges Different Roles of Odontoblasts and Fibroblasts in Immunity Journal of Dental Research, March 1, 2008; 87(3): 256 - 261. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Okamoto, Y. Benno, K.-P Leung, and N. Maeda Bifidobacterium tsurumiense sp. nov., from hamster dental plaque Int J Syst Evol Microbiol, January 1, 2008; 58(1): 144 - 148. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. M. Lin, J. Lin, and P. A. Rosenberg One-appointment endodontic therapy: Biological considerations J Am Dent Assoc, November 1, 2007; 138(11): 1456 - 1462. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Zhang, N. Kawashima, H. Suda, Y. Nakano, Y. Takano, and M. Azuma The existence of CD11c+ sentinel and F4/80+ interstitial dendritic cells in dental pulp and their dynamics and functional properties Int. Immunol., September 1, 2006; 18(9): 1375 - 1384. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. E. Vianna, G. Conrads, B. P. F. A. Gomes, and H. P. Horz Identification and Quantification of Archaea Involved in Primary Endodontic Infections J. Clin. Microbiol., April 1, 2006; 44(4): 1274 - 1282. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. H. Durand, V. Flacher, A. Romeas, F. Carrouel, E. Colomb, C. Vincent, H. Magloire, M.-L. Couble, F. Bleicher, M.-J. Staquet, et al. Lipoteichoic Acid Increases TLR and Functional Chemokine Expression while Reducing Dentin Formation in In Vitro Differentiated Human Odontoblasts. J. Immunol., March 1, 2006; 176(5): 2880 - 2887. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. S. Jakubovics, S. W. Kerrigan, A. H. Nobbs, N. Stromberg, C. J. van Dolleweerd, D. M. Cox, C. G. Kelly, and H. F. Jenkinson Functions of Cell Surface-Anchored Antigen I/II Family and Hsa Polypeptides in Interactions of Streptococcus gordonii with Host Receptors Infect. Immun., October 1, 2005; 73(10): 6629 - 6638. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. S. Paddick, S. R. Brailsford, E. A. M. Kidd, and D. Beighton Phenotypic and Genotypic Selection of Microbiota Surviving under Dental Restorations Appl. Envir. Microbiol., May 1, 2005; 71(5): 2467 - 2472. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K.-L. Chhour, M. A. Nadkarni, R. Byun, F. E. Martin, N. A. Jacques, and N. Hunter Molecular Analysis of Microbial Diversity in Advanced Caries J. Clin. Microbiol., February 1, 2005; 43(2): 843 - 849. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Nadkarni, C. E. Caldon, K.-L. Chhour, I. P. Fisher, F. E. Martin, N. A. Jacques, and N. Hunter Carious Dentine Provides a Habitat for a Complex Array of Novel Prevotella-Like Bacteria J. Clin. Microbiol., November 1, 2004; 42(11): 5238 - 5244. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P.N.R. Nair PATHOGENESIS OF APICAL PERIODONTITIS AND THE CAUSES OF ENDODONTIC FAILURES Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, November 1, 2004; 15(6): 348 - 381. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Byun, M. A. Nadkarni, K.-L. Chhour, F. E. Martin, N. A. Jacques, and N. Hunter Quantitative Analysis of Diverse Lactobacillus Species Present in Advanced Dental Caries J. Clin. Microbiol., July 1, 2004; 42(7): 3128 - 3136. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Ferrari, P.N. Mason, C. Goracci, D.H. Pashley, and F.R. Tay Collagen Degradation in Endodontically Treated Teeth after Clinical Function Journal of Dental Research, May 1, 2004; 83(5): 414 - 419. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P.D.S. Telles, C.T. Hanks, M.A.A.M. Machado, and J.E. Nor Lipoteichoic Acid Up-regulates VEGF Expression in Macrophages and Pulp Cells Journal of Dental Research, June 1, 2003; 82(6): 466 - 470. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]