Relationship between clinical symptoms and enzyme-producing bacteria isolated from infected root canals.

The object of this study was to determine the correlation between clinical symptoms and the activity of enzymes such as collagenase, chondroitinase, and hyaluronidase produced by bacteria isolated from infected root canals. The materials examined consisted of 28 teeth with apical periodontitis from 25 patients. Bacteria producing collagenase or chondroitinase and hyaluronidase were found to be significantly related to subacute clinical symptoms involving percussion pain. The frequency of bacteria producing collagenase was higher in isolates from root canals with a radiolucent area over 5 mm in diameter than in those from canals having a radiolucent area less than 5 mm in diameter.