Radiological and histological assessment of periapical repair after obturation of infected root canals in dogs

Abstract

The study was conducted to compare efficiency of 1% chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide as root canal disinfectants in dogs. Dogs treated at the clinic were randomly divided as follows: Group 1, one-step (n = 12) - roots irrigated with 10 ml of saline, obturated with gutta-percha and sealed with a composite; Group 2, Ca(OH)2 (n = 24) - after saline irrigation, a Ca(OH)2 dressing was applied to the canals using a lentulo spiral and teeth were temporized with zinc-phosphate cementum containing argentum (Argil, Dental Praha) for 2 weeks (after 2 weeks, the teeth were obturated as in Group 1); Group 3, 1% chlorhexidine (n = 26) - 1% chlorhexidine was applied into the root canals for two weeks and afterwards obturated as in Group 1). Standardized radiographs taken six months later were used to assess the differences in the extent of periapical inflammatory reactions in the initial stage (part one of this study). At the same time sixteen teeth were surgically extracted for histological examination. Chlorhexidin and calcium hydroxide have shown similar endodontic therapeutic effect (73.1% and 75.3% successfully treated teeth, respectively). However, in teeth treated with 1% chlorhexidine better periapical healing was achieved as shown by radiological signs.