Isolation of anaerobic bacteria from the root canal systems of necrotic teeth by the use of a transport solution.

The purpose of this study was to develop a clinically practical technique for isolating predominant anaerobic microorganisms from the root canal systems of intact necrotic teeth. Fifty-five consecutive teeth, all of which were necrotic, were sampled for this study. The technique developed involved a transport solution into which each sample was placed. At least one anaerobic bacterium was isolated from each case, with as many as four anaerobic bacteria being isolated from one case. Over half of the total number of organisms isolated were anaerobes, and almost half of these organisms were gram-negative. Whereas this technique has enabled the author to isolate and identify the same spectrum of predominant anaerobic bacteria as has been reported recently by others using the rigid VPI technique, the author suggests that the technique described here be utilized when the VPI technique cannot be performed.