The effects of calcium hydroxide on the healing rate of periapical lesions and on the degree of secondary cementum formation

Date
1972
DOI
Authors
Silbert, Richard
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
The possible use of calcium hydroxide as an adjunct in root canal therapy has been studied with special emphasis on the following points: 1. Can calcium hydroxide accelerate the healing rate of osteolytic lesions in the periapical region? 2. Can calcium hydroxide induce secondary cementum deposition over the apical foramen thereby sealing it? 3. What other reactions can be observed as a result of this type of treatment? The anterior teeth in two dogs were cleaned and shaped. In some, periapical lesions were created with Croton oil. The canals were then filled with a calcium hydroxide paste. Control teeth were filled with warm gutta percha. After a period of three months, the animals were sacrificed and histological slides incorporating the teeth and surrounding structures were prepared and studied. On the basis of the findings in this study, we can conclude that: 1. When calcium hydroxide is employed as a root canal filling material, it does not accelerate the healing of osteolytic lesions. 2. Calcium hydroxide will not seal a root canal or fill it in three dimensions adequately enough to allow healing to occur. 3. Calcium hydroxide, when not phagocytized, may induce secondary cementum deposition over the apical foramen; however, this deposition will be insufficient to seal the apex. 4. The use of pressure syringes to fill root canals is hazardous as it is very difficult to regulate efficiently the amount of material expressed even under controlled experimental conditions.
Description
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Thesis (M.Sc.D.)--Boston University, School of Graduate Dentistry, 1972. Endodontics.
Bibliography included.
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This work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact open-help@bu.edu.