Microbiota associated with caries and apical periodontitis: A next‐generation sequencing study

Bacterial community structure differed significantly between biofilm and root canal samples, but showed no significant differences among biofilm samples based on dental caries status. However, some taxa were shared among caries-affected lesions, including dentine and root canals. H. multisaccharivorax, O. uli, L. gasseri, Selenomonadaceae species and S. inopinata exhibited higher abundance in caries-affected dentine and root canals with primary apical periodontitis, suggesting that specific bacteria in caries-affected dentine play a crucial role in the development of root canal infections and the pathogenesis of primary apical periodontitis.