This process is mediated by several proinflammatory cytokines secreted by cells recruited in response to microbial infection from the root canal system; although the exact mechanism of AP is complex and not fully elucidated, it is known that tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin 1 beta (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) contribute to the differentiation of osteoclasts and periapical bone resorption (Kawashima & Stashenko, 1999; Qian et al., 2016; Wei et al., 2013). Here, IL1B is linked to alkaline phosphatase measurement.