Response of periradicular tissues to growth factors introduced into the surgical site in the root-end filling material

Aim The objective of this study was to evaluate the healing of the periradi cular tissues when exogenous growth factors were delivered to the respected root-end. The healing response was compared with that when Diaket was used as a control. Methodology Non-surgical root canal treatment was performed on mandibular t eeth in mongrel dogs. Surgical treatment followed and included root-end res ection and root-end cavity preparation. Insulin-like growth factor in combi nation with platelet-derived growth factor, or fibroblast growth factor alo ne, were then placed in the root-end preparations on a polyractic acid carr ier (Atrisorb) with or without the incorporation of the carrier tetracalciu m phosphate. The healing was evaluated at 60 days with regard to presence o f inflammatory response, bone regeneration, periodontal ligament formation and cementum formation. Results Osseous regeneration in the excisional would and periodontal format ion were significantly greater when Diaket was used as the root-end filling material. Likewise, cementum deposition occurred significantly more freque ntly in the Diaket group (P < 0.05). The polylactic carrier Atrisorb remain ed in the surgical sites for the duration of the study. Conclusions The use of specific growth factors, FGF and a combination of IG F/PDGF, delivered to the prepared root end in a collagen carrier did not in itiate the desired periradicular tissue response of regeneration. Diaket, a s used in this study, did stimulate a periradicular tissue response compati ble with regeneration.