The presence of the periplasmic flagella is widely regarded as responsible for the Treponema denticola's ability to rotate and flex, resulting in a phenomenon where Spirochetes, including Treponema denticola, are therefore able to navigate through particularly viscous environments, unlike that of other prokaryotes.
Treponema denticola is a Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic, motile and highly proteolytic spirochete bacterium. The native cellular architecture of the bacterial cell was revealed using cryo-electron tomography, a technique observing intact plunge-frozen cells. Tightly organized bundles of periplasmic flagella were observed in the periplasm, a characteristic of spirochetes. The presence of the periplasmic flagella is widely regarded as being responsible for the microorganism's ability to rotate and flex, in addition to its translational movement. Spirochetes, including Treponema denticola , are therefore able to navigate through particularly viscous environments, unlike that of other prokaryotes. 
