The ecology of the root canal system changes with time and at increasing depths. With increasing bacterial population there is a reduction in available nutrition, as well as a decrease in the available oxygen. This favors facultative and strict anaerobes and allows them to thrive, which most likely explains the findings in this study and others.

These findings compare with findings by Fowel et al. (2012) which implicated facultative anaerobes belonging to the streptococcusStreptococcus viridans anginosus group in a dental abscess. However, some studies have isolated Staphylococcus aureus frequently from an acute dental abscess, ranging from 0.7% to 15%. (Brook et al., 1991; Shweta et al., 2013).
The species isolated in Chronic abscess in this study were Gram-positive cocci (Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus constellatus, Strep constellatus)constellatus), Enterococcus faecalis (Gram-positive rods), Actinomyces odonlyticus, Actinomyces meyeri (Gram-negative rods)(Fusobacteriumrods), Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Enterobacter cloacae)cloacae.
Facultative anaerobes, such as the viridans group streptococci and the Streptococcus anginosus group, and strict anaerobes, especially anaerobic cocci, Prevotella sp, and Fusobacterium species have been observed as the most common organisms isolated in a dentoalveolar abscess. (Shweta and Prakash, 2013). They have been found in 10-87% of dentoalveolar abscesses. (Siqueira and Rôças, 2009; Külekçi et al., 1996).
Within the limitations of this study, we recommend further studies to determine the type of irrigants and medication which will be effective for root canal infection. Advanced open-ended molecular techniques that will allow genome mapping of the entire spectrum of bacteria in a sample to provide a comprehensive characterization of the microbiota associated with endodontic infections to help institute the best treatment protocol is also recommended.
Conclusion
Root canal infections in Ghanaians are polymicrobial with facultative anaerobes beenbeing predominant. Streptococcus was the most predominant genera isolated, followed by Prevotella sps, Actinomyces sps, Enterococcus faecalis, and Rothia sp.