Dentistry

Optical Detection Of Endodontic Infection Using Bacterial Autofluorescence May Improve Success Of Root Canal Treatment

• byDoctor News Daily Team
• 04 July, 2025
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Optical detection of endodontic infection using bacterial autofluorescence may improve the success of root canal treatment suggests a new study published in the Journal Of Dentistry

For successful root canal treatment (RCT), it is essential to objectively assess the presence and activity of bacteria in the root canal system. However, current methods rely on subjective observations of root canal exudates. This study aimed to confirm whether real-time optical detection using bacterial autofluorescence can evaluate endodontic infection status by assessing the red fluorescence (RF) detected from root canal exudates.

During RCT, endodontic paper points were used to collect root canal exudates scored using conventional organoleptic tests to assess the severity of root canal infections. RF on the paper points was assessed using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology. RF intensity and area from the paper points were quantified, and their correlations with infection severity were assessed using their organoleptic scores. The oral microbiome composition of RF samples was compared with non-red fluorescent (non-RF) samples.
Results
The RF detection rate was nil and >98% in the non-infectious and severe groups. The RF intensity and area significantly increased with infection severity (p<0.001) and showed strong correlations with organoleptic scores (r=0.72, 0.82, respectively). The diagnostic accuracy for detecting root canal infection using RF intensity was good to excellent (AUC = 0.81−0.95) and increased with infection severity. The microbial diversity of the RF samples was significantly lower than that of the non-RF samples. Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria such as Prevotella and Porphyromonas were more predominant in RF samples.
Optical detection using bacterial autofluorescence can objectively evaluate endodontic infection status in real-time by assessing the RF of endodontic root canal exudates. This real-time optical technology can be utilised to detect endodontic bacterial infection without conventional incubation, allowing clinicians to determine the endpoint of chemomechanical debridement and increase the positive outcomes of RCTs.
Keywords: Diagnostic systems; Endodontic infection; Optical detection; Quantitative light-induced fluorescence; Red fluorescence
Reference:
Eun-Song Lee, Elbert de Josselin de Jong, Euiseong Kim, Baek-Il Kim,
Real-time optical detection of endodontic infection using bacterial autofluorescence,
Journal of Dentistry, Volume 136, 2023, 104600, ISSN 0300-5712, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104600.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300571223001860)
Keywords:
Optical, detection, endodontic, infection, using, bacterial, autofluorescence, improve, success, root canal, treatment, Eun-Song Lee, Elbert de Josselin de Jong, Euiseong Kim, Baek-Il Kim, Journal of Dentistry