The effect of an apical dentin plug in root canal preparation

Abstract

The frequency of the creation of apical dentin plugs in unifected monkey teeth with vital pulps and their effect on healing of filled and unfilled canals were investigated. Two male monkeys, one Macaca mulattaand one Macaca speciosa, were used for a 9-and 12-month study. Forty-three root canals in 33 teeth prepared 0.5 to1 mm from the radiographic apex were studied histologically. Thirty-one experimental canals were not filled after instrumentation and 12 control canals were filled by lateral condensation of gutta-percha and sealer after instrumentation. After both 9 and 12 months, there was a less than23% incidence of inflammation associated with the periapices of the experimental group that had his-tologically apparent apical dentin plugs. Similarly, there was a less than 18% incidence of inflammation associated with the periapices of the control canals that had plugs. Inflammation was much more common (90%) in both the experimental and control canals without plugs. Statistical analysis showed that canals with plugs (experimental and control) had less inflammation than canals without plugs. The frequency of the creation of apical dentin plugs in unifected monkey teeth with vital pulps and their effect on healing of filled and unfilled canals were investigated. Two male monkeys, one Macaca mulattaand one Macaca speciosa, were used for a 9-and 12-month study. Forty-three root canals in 33 teeth prepared 0.5 to1 mm from the radiographic apex were studied histologically. Thirty-one experimental canals were not filled after instrumentation and 12 control canals were filled by lateral condensation of gutta-percha and sealer after instrumentation. After both 9 and 12 months, there was a less than23% incidence of inflammation associated with the periapices of the experimental group that had his-tologically apparent apical dentin plugs. Similarly, there was a less than 18% incidence of inflammation associated with the periapices of the control canals that had plugs. Inflammation was much more common (90%) in both the experimental and control canals without plugs. Statistical analysis showed that canals with plugs (experimental and control) had less inflammation than canals without plugs.