Dentistry Publications
Title
Candida albicans virulence factors and pathogenicity for endodontic infections
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2020
Journal
Microorganisms
Volume
8
Issue
9
First Page
1
Last Page
18
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.3390/microorganisms8091300
Abstract
Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the fungus most frequently isolated from endodontic root canal infections. Although recognized by dental pulp and periradicular tissue cells that elicit immune responses, it eludes host defenses and elicits cell death. Then, C. albicans binds tooth dentin, forms biofilms, and invades dentinal tubules to resist intracanal disinfectants and endodontic treatments. Insensitive to most common medicaments, it survives sequestered within biofilms and intratubular dentin. Thus, C. albicans has been associated with cases of persistent or refractory root canal infections. Its treatment strategies may require alternative intracanal irrigants, intracanal medicaments such as chlorhexidine gel or human beta defensin-3 (HBD3), Ca-Si-based obturating materials, and microsurgical procedures.