The quantitative effects on the inoculum of wiping out root canals with paper points prior to taking cultures

1. 1. Four paper points were used to wipe out and culture the root canals of each of 95 single-canal teeth. 2. 2. The quantitative effects on the culture samples were recorded. Comparisons were made regarding the following aspects of the quantitative effects: (a) variations in culture results in tubes from the same tooth, (b) variations in culture results from vital and nonvital teeth, (c) results of cultures in teeth with canals open to saliva, and (d) results of 48 hours' and 7 days' incubation. 3. 3. A comparison was made of the four culture points are analyzed (a) individually, (b) according to results of the first two points combined, and (c) according to results of the third and fourth points combined.