Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In the context of periapical lesions, the presence of anaerobes is significant because these lesions often arise from pulp necrosis or infection, which creates an anaerobic environment. This environment is conducive to the survival and proliferation of anaerobic bacteria.

Additionally, periapical lesions can also harbor a mixture of both aerobes and anaerobes, although the predominance is usually in favor of anaerobic organisms. Anaerobic bacteria thrive in low-oxygen conditions, which are characteristic of chronic infections where vascular supply is compromised. The microbial profile in such lesions typically includes species such as Porphyromonas, Prevotella, and Fusobacterium, which are primarily anaerobic but can coexist with certain facultative anaerobic species.

Understanding the microbial composition of periapical lesions is crucial because it informs treatment approaches, including the selection of appropriate antibiotics and endodontic therapies. Therefore, recognizing that these lesions commonly feature a transition from aerobes to mainly anaerobes aligns with clinical observations and microbiological findings in dental pathology.