Objective: To analyze the literature on Porphyromonas bacteria, which is one of the most relevant bacteria in root canal treatment and periodontal disease, and to investigate information on epidemiology, diagnostic methods, treatment and clinical manifestations.

Methodology: Research was carried out in PubMed, SCOPUS and Google Scholar, using the following words, Porphyromonas, epidemiology, diagnostic methods, oral manifestations, treatment.

Results: Porphyromonas bacteria are widely associated with the presence of dentobacterial plaque in different areas of the oral cavity. These tend to be concentrated in a higher percentage in the tongue. Diagnostic methods are obtained by saliva collection or PCR bacterial cultures. Treatment includes the use of vitamin D, chitosan gel, chlorhexidine and povidone, which have been studied to counteract the presence or inhibition of this bacterium. Manifestations associated with this bacterium are linked to oral cavity cancer and presence and increase of dentobacterial plaque.

Conclusions: Gran-negative bacteria in their anaerobic environment can cause different oral manifestations, mainly periodontal and endodontic, which have different methods for their detection. Currently, research continues on methods to obtain more effective treatments against this type of bacteria.