IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 19, Issue 12 Ser.11 (December. 2020), PP 01-06 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1912110106 www.iosrjournal.org 1 | Page Probiotics -The Future of Bacteriotherapy in Endodontics: A Review Prabhavathi Poornima 1 , K Shashikala 2 , B S Keshava Prasad 3 , Atul U R 4 1 (Post graduate student, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, DAPM RV Dental College, India) 2 (Professor, Vice Principal, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, DAPM RV Dental College, India) 3 (Professor, Head of Department, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, DAPM RV Dental College, India) 4 (Post graduate student, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, DAPM RV Dental College, India) Abstract: Endodontics is a specialty in dentistry concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases or injuries to the dental pulp and periapical tissues. The basic need of an endodontic treatment is to maintain the health of the tooth and its function in the oral cavity for a longer period of time in human life. Success in endodontic treatment relies on the triad of debridement, thorough disinfection of the root canals, and obturation, with all aspects being equally important. Mechanical instrumentation cannot sufficiently disinfect the root canals, and so disinfectants in the form of irrigation solutions are imperative to eradicate the microflora. Over a period of time, a wide array of chemical irrigants have been popularized with the motive of killing the microflora, dissolving necrotic tissue, removing the smear layer, and lubricating the canal without irritating the healthy tissues. Recently, the role of Probiotics in dentistry have been emphasized due to its antimicrobial action against various pathogenic oral microflora. In this direction, the paper highlights the review of various scientific literatures and research work on the possible uses of Probiotics in the field of endodontics to manage endodontic infections and to promote healthy ecology and healing. Key Word: Probiotics; Lactobacillus; Bifidobacterium; Poloxamer; E. fecalis; C. albicans; Endodontic infections; --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 08-12-2020 Date of Acceptance: 24-12-2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Periapical pathology involves inflammation and destruction of periradicular tissues which is generally a sequel to pulpal inflammation or necrosis with necrotic byproducts and inflammatory mediators spreading through apical foramen to initiate a periapical lesion. Failure to effectively eliminate the microorganisms and noxious substances possibly lead to persistent inflammation and impaired healing. More than 90% of the microflora present in root canals with necrotic pulp and diseased periapices, are obligate anaerobes usually belonging to the genera Fusobacterium, Eubacterium , Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Peptostreptococcus. 1,2 Success rates of endodontic treatments which ranges from 86% - 98% is gauged by the resolution of clinical signs and symptoms, as well as the radiological findings of the treated tooth. An Endodontic treatment can be called a failure if it causes recurrence of clinical symptoms along with the presence of a periapical radiolucency. 3 Causes of endodontic failure : A multitude of factors have been associated with the failure of endodontic treatment. They are persistence of bacteria (intra-canal and extra-canal) which could be due to inadequate debridement or disinfection, inadequate filling of the canal or overextensions of root filling materials, improper coronal or apical seal, missed or untreated canals, iatrogenic procedural errors such as poor access cavity design, ledges, perforations, or separated instruments. One of the foremost causes of endodontic failure is either persistent or secondary intra-radicular microbiological infection. 4 Several microorganisms have the ability to co-aggregate and adhere to the radicular dentin, forming dense biofilms that lead to persistent infection. These biofilms harbor the microbial colonies, with fluid channels that transport nutrient substrates, waste metabolites and signal molecules, and hence eradication of endodontic biofilms play a vital role in the successful outcome of the root canal therapy. Improper disinfection protocols,