HISTOLOGIC ASSESSMENT OF MINERAL TRIOXIDE AGGREGATE AS A ROOT-END FILLING IN MONKEYS

Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) has been shown in a number of experim ents to be a potential root-end filling material. The purpose of this study was to examine the periradicular tissue response of monkeys to M TA and amalgam as root-end fillings. The pulps were removed from all t he maxillary incisors of three monkeys. The root canals were prepared and filled with laterally condensed gutta-percha and sealer, and the a ccess cavities were restored with amalgam. Buccal mucoperiosteal flaps were raised, and root-end resections were performed before root-end c avity preparation with burs. The root-end cavities in half of the teet h were filled with MTA, while amalgam was placed in the other cavities . After 5 months the periradicular tissue response was evaluated histo logically. The results showed no periradicular inflammation adjacent t o five of six root ends filled with MTA; also five of six root ends fi lled with MTA had a complete layer of cementum over the filling. In co ntrast, all root ends filled with amalgam showed periradicular inflamm ation, and cementum had not formed over the root-end filling material, although it was present over the cut root end. Based on these results and previous investigations, MTA is recommended as a root-end filling material in man.