Endodontic-periodontal lesions – clinical and microbiological considerations

The pulp and the periodontium have a close link, and one can interferewith the health of the other. There are several ways by which thisinteraction occurs. The apical foramen, accessory canals, lateral canals and dentinal tubules are the main path. When a lesion occurs in the same time in the pulp and periodontium, this lesion is calledendoperiodontal lesion. A correct diagnosis is very important forestablishing the best treatment of lesions. The treatment of theseendoperiodontal lesions is in endodontic therapy, periodontal therapyor both. Similarities are found in bacterial flora of the pulp and theperiodontium, but the bacterial types exist in the canal are morerestricted than those of periodontium. In this article, a literature review was conducted. The goal was the knowledge of the clinical andmicrobiological diagnosis in endoperiodontal lesions. This work willmake a brief review of literature addressing the effect that theperiodontal and pulpal tissues may have one on the other, in order toassist in choosing the best form of treatment.