Stalin P. Kariyawasam

Histologic assessment of mineral trioxide aggregate as a root-end filling in monkeys

Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) has been shown in a number of experiments to be a potential root-end filling material. The purpose of this study was to examine the periradicular tissue response of monkeys to MTA and amalgam as root-end fillings. The pulps were removed from all the maxillary incisors of three monkeys. The root canals were prepared and filled with laterally condensed guttapercha and sealer, and the access cavities were restored with amalgam. Buccal mucoperiosteal flaps were raised, and root-end resections were performed before root-end cavity preparation with burs. The root-end cavities in half of the teeth were filled with MTA, while amalgam was placed in the other cavities. After 5 months the periradicular tissue response was evaluated histologically. The results showed no periradicular inflammation adjacent to five of six root ends filled with MTA; also five of six root ends filled with MTA had a complete layer of cementum over the filling. In contrast, all root ends filled with amalgam showed periradicular inflammation, and cementum had not formed over the root-end filling material, although it was present over the cut root end. Based on these results and previous investigations, MTA is recommended as a root-end filling material in man.

Use of mineral trioxide aggregate for repair of furcal perforations

The histologic response to intentional perforation in the furcations of 28 mandibular premolars in seven dogs was investigated. In half the teeth, the perforations were repaired immediately with either amalgam or mineral trioxide aggregate; in the rest the perforations were left open to salivary contamination before repair. All repaired perforations were left for 4 months before histologic examination of vertical sections through the site. In the immediately repaired group, all the amalgam specimens were associated with inflammation, whereas only one of six with mineral trioxide aggregate was; further, the five noninflamed mineral trioxide aggregate specimens had some cementum over the repair material. In the delayed group, all the amalgam specimens were associated with inflammation; in contrast only four of seven filled with the aggregate were inflamed. On the basis of these results, it appears that mineral trioxide aggregate is a far more suitable material than amalgam for perforation repair, particularly when used immediately after perforation.

Tissue reaction to implanted super-EBA and mineral trioxide aggregate in the mandible of guinea pigs: A preliminary report

In vitro sealing ability and biocompatibility tests on mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) have shown similar or better properties for this material than for existing root-end filling substances. The purpose of this study was to examine the tissue reaction of implanted Super-EBA and MTA in the mandibles of guinea pigs. After anesthetizing seven guinea pigs, raising a tissue flap and preparing two bony cavities, the test materials were placed in Teflon cups and implanted in the mandibles. Two bony cavities without implanted materials were left to heal and used as negative controls. The presence of inflammation, predominant cell type, and thickness of fibrous connective tissue adjacent to each implant was recorded. The tissue reaction to MTA implantation was slightly than that observed with Super-EBA implantation. Based on these results , it seems that both Super-EBA and MTA are biocompatible.

Tissue reaction to implanted root-end filling materials in the tibia and mandible of guinea pigs

The purpose of this study was to examine the tissue reaction to implanted mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), amalgam, Intermediate Restorative Material, and Super-EBA in the tibias and mandibles of guinea pigs. After anesthetizing 20 guinea pigs, raising tissue flaps, and preparing bony cavities, the test materials were placed in Teflon cups and implanted in the tibias and 10 days later in the mandibles. The animals were euthanized 80 days later and the tissues prepared for histological examination. The presence of inflammation, predominant cell type, and thickness of fibrous connective tissue adjacent to each implant were recorded. The tissue reaction to MTA implantation was the most favorable observed at both sites; as in every specimen, it was free of inflammation (p < 0.01). In the tibia, MTA was the material most often observed with direct bone apposition. Based on these results, MTA seems to be a biocompatible material.

Effect of super-EBA as a root end filling on healing after replantation

The effect of Super-EBA cement as a root-end filling placed in teeth before replantation was examined in eight molar roots in monkeys. After extraction, root ends were resected, the canals contaminated with oral bacteria, root-end cavities prepared, and fillings of Super-EBA placed before replantation. After 8 wk, the jaws were removed and prepared for histological examination. The tissue response to Super-EBA was very mild, with only a few inflammatory cells being observed at the root end of 3 of the 8 roots filled. Previous work showed a similarly mild response to Intermediate Restorative Material and a very much more severe response to amalgam. It is concluded that the tissue response to Super-EBA as a root-end filling is acceptable and considerably more favorable than that to amalgam.

Effect of IRM root end fillings on healing after replantation

The effect of IRM as a root end filling placed in teeth prior to replantation was examined in 21 molar teeth in monkeys. After extraction, root ends were resected, the canals contaminated with oral bacteria, root end cavities prepared, and fillings of IRM or amalgam placed prior to replantation. After 8 wk the jaws were removed and prepared for histological examination. Bacteria were demonstrated in only 9 of 15 teeth filled with IRM; 18 of the roots (60%) were associated with inflammation, which was only moderate or severe around 5 (17%), and extended > 0.1 mm around only 2 roots. In contrast, of the 6 teeth filled with amalgam, all contained bacteria in the root canals and 11 roots were associated with moderate or severe inflammation, which around 8 roots extended > 0.5 mm. The difference in severity of inflammation for the two materials was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The tissue response to root end fillings of IRM in replanted teeth was less severe and less extensive than that to amalgam.