Enterococcus faecalis– the root canal survivor and ‘star’ in post‐treatment disease

In the past few years, Enterococcus faecalis has been the focus of increased interest both in medicine and dentistry. A recognized pathogen in post‐treatment endodontic infections, E. faecalis is frequently isolated both in mixed flora and in monocultures. E. faecalis is probably the species that can best adapt to and tolerate the ecologically demanding conditions in the filled root canal. Eradication of E. faecalis from the root canal with chemomechanical preparation and using disinfecting irrigants and antibacterial dressings is difficult. In this article, the different factors that make E. faecalis a potential problem in medicine and dentistry are summarized, with special focus on the role of E. faecalis in post‐treatment endodontic disease.