ALTERATIONS IN MACROPHAGES AFTER EXPOSURE TO ROOT-CANAL FILLING MATERIALS

The process of engulfment of overextended root canal filling materials was investigated in rat peritoneal macrophages in vitro. Root canal f illing materials tested were Finapec APC, Sealapex, Canals-N, and Cana ls, The phagocytosis rate of macrophages for the Finapec APC was signi ficantly (p < 0.05) higher than that for other three root canal fillin g materials, That for Canals was the lowest, About 95% of the cells ex posed to Finapec APC were viable at 60 and 120 min, For Canals the per centage was 74% and 63% at 60 and 120 min, respectively, Ruffle format ion in macrophages was observed by scanning electron microscopy after exposure to Finapec APC for 60 or 120 min, Many vacuoles were observed in macrophages exposed to Canals for 60 min. It was concluded that th e phagocytic rate of macrophages for Canals that showed a strong cytot oxicity was lowest acid that the rate for Finapec APC that showed a lo w cytotoxicity was the highest.