Endodontic treatment of experimental root perforations in dog teeth

Abstract

Abstract Experimental root perforations were made in 131 teeth of 5 mongrel dogs. The perforations were treated according lo five different endodontic techniques and the results were observed after 3 weeks, 3 months and 1 year. The histologic reaction was dominated by inflammation and downgrowth of gingival epithelial tissue, regardless of observation time, technique or material Used. The epithelial downgrowth resulted in the formation of periodontal pockets with the epithelial attachment apical to the perforation. The frequency of the periodontal pockets increased with increasing observation time and after 1 year 75% of the perforations were lined with epithelium. The inflammation at the perforation site apparently was maintained by irritants from the periodontal pockets.