EFFECT OF ROOT-CANAL STATUS ON PERIODONTAL HEALING AFTER SURGICAL INJURY IN DOGS

This study was carried out to observe if the status of the root canal might influence the healing process of surgically prepared experimenta l periodontal lesions. Forty tooth roots from four dogs were divided i nto four different groups: a) root canals with vital pulps, b) root ca nals open to the oral environment, c) root canals infected and filled with zinc oxide eugenol cement, and d) root canals infected and filled with calcium hydroxide. By means of a surgical intervention, a cavity was prepared in the medium portion of the roots. Six months later, th e specimens were removed and prepared for histological analysis. The r esults, which were submitted to statistical analysis, showed that the status of the root canals influenced the healing process of the experi mental periodontal lesions. In the groups where the root canals were f illed, calcium hydroxide gave the best results. In the group with root canals left open to the oral environment, resorption of the dentin of the experimental cavities, was the most obvious observation. However, it did not prevent the repair process, only slowed it down.