What occurs when bacteria infiltrate the dentinal tubules from the sulcus?

When bacteria infiltrate the dentinal tubules from the sulcus, this can lead to various pathological processes, but in this context, the most direct association is with cervical resorption. Cervical resorption occurs when the resorption of dental hard tissue starts at the cervical region of the tooth and can be triggered by factors such as trauma, inflammation, or the presence of bacteria. The infiltration of bacteria into the dentinal tubules can lead to pulpal inflammation, subsequently affecting the surrounding tissue and contributing to the resorption process.

In contrast, periapical infection is more directly related to issues arising from the pulp and typically involves bacterial invasion from the root apex rather than the dentin. Replacement resorption is a condition where dental hard tissue is replaced by bone-like tissue, often seen in trauma cases or during orthodontic tooth movement, and is not directly linked to bacterial infiltration from the sulcus. Pulpal necrosis refers to the death of the dental pulp tissue, typically due to prolonged infection or inflammation, but is a different consequence than the localized resorption characterized by cervical resorption.

Thus, the interaction of bacteria with the dentinal tubules most significantly relates to the resorption activity seen at the cervical area of the tooth.