INVESTIGATION OF MINERAL TRIOXIDE AGGREGATE FOR ROOT-END FILLING IN DOGS

Numerous compounds have been used as rootend filling materials. Based on the results of in vitro and intraosseous implantation tests, minera l trioxide aggregate (MTA) seems to have potential as a root-end filli ng material. The purpose of this study was to examine the periradicula r tissue response of dogs to MTA and amalgam. Lesions were developed i n periradicular tissues of 46 roots in six beagle dogs. The canals on half of the roots were instrumented and obturated with gutta-percha an d sealer, and their access cavities were sealed with MTA. The remainin g root canals were instrumented and obturated with gutta-percha withou t root canal sealer. The access cavities of the teeth in this group we re left open to the oral cavity. After surgical resection of roots, ha lf of the root-end cavities were filled with amalgam and the rest with MTA. The periradicular tissue response of the dogs was evaluated hist ologically 2 to 5 and 10 to 18 wk following periradicular surgery. Sta tistical analysis of the results showed less periradicular inflammatio n and more fibrous capsules adjacent to MTA, compared with amalgam. In addition, the presence of cementum on the surface of MTA was a freque nt finding. The results show that MTA can be used as a root-end fillin g material.