Universität zu Köln

Schoppmeier, Christoph Matthias ORCID: 0000-0002-3269-8920, Classen, Gustav Leo ORCID: 0000-0003-4903-6605, Contini, Silvia ORCID: 0009-0002-8300-2708, Rebmann, Paul, Brendlen, David, Wicht, Michael Jochen ORCID: 0000-0003-4693-7184 and Barbe, Anna Greta ORCID: 0000-0003-0169-2582 (2025). Introducing a Novel Paper Point Method for Isolated Apical Sampling—The Controlled Apical Sampling Device: A Methodological Study. Biomedicines, 13 (6). MDPI. ISSN 2227-9059

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Abstract

[Artikel-Nr.: 1477] Objectives: To introduce a novel method for apical lesion sampling using a protected paper point device and to evaluate its effectiveness and robustness during the sampling process in vitro. Methods: A prototype for apical sample collection was developed as an adaptation of the Micro-Apical Placement System—the device features a highly tapered screw head with a thin, hollow, stainless-steel tube and an internal wire piston. Standardized 5 mm paper points (ISO 10; PD Dental, Switzerland) served as carrier material. The prototype was tested using 30 × 3D-printed, single-rooted tooth models inoculated using two bacterial strains (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli) to simulate apical and intraradicular bacterial infections, respectively. The sampling process involved collecting and analyzing samples at specific timepoints, focusing on the presence or absence of E. coli contamination. Following sample collection, cultural detection of bacterial presence was performed by incubating the samples on agar plates to confirm the presence of E. coli. Samples were collected as follows: S0 (sterility control of the prototype), P0 (sterility control of the tooth model), P1 (apical sample collected with the CAPS (controlled apical sampling) device, and P2 (contamination control sample to check for the presence of E. coli inside the root canal). Results: Handling of the CAPS prototype was straightforward and reproducible. No loss of paper points or complications were observed during sample collection. All sterility samples (P0, S0) were negative for tested microorganisms, confirming the sterility of the setup. P2 samples confirmed the presence of E. coli in the root canal in all trials. The P1 samples were free from contamination in 86.67% of trials. Conclusions: The CAPS method for apical sampling demonstrated advances in the successful and precise sample collection of apically located S. epidermidis and will be a useful tool for endodontic microbiological analysis. Its user-friendly design and consistent performance highlight its potential for clinical application, contributing to more accurate microbial diagnostics and later patient-specific therapeutic approaches in endodontic treatments.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Schoppmeier, Christoph Matthias UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3269-8920 UNSPECIFIED Classen, Gustav Leo UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4903-6605 UNSPECIFIED Contini, Silvia UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8300-2708 UNSPECIFIED Rebmann, Paul UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Brendlen, David UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Wicht, Michael Jochen UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4693-7184 UNSPECIFIED Barbe, Anna Greta UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0169-2582 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-800535
Identification Number:	10.3390/biomedicines13061477
Journal or Publication Title:	Biomedicines
Volume:	13
Number:	6
Number of Pages:	17
Date:	15 June 2025
Publisher:	MDPI
ISSN:	2227-9059
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde > Poliklinik für Zahnerhaltung und Parodontologie
Subjects:	Medical sciences Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language 3D-printed tooth model ; apical periodontitis ; endodontic microbiology ; microbial sampling ; root canal microbiome English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/80053