Abstract
Replantation was performed on the maxillary second incisors bilaterally. The pulp was removed from the experimental teeth on the right 5 weeks after replantation, and they were filled with calucium hydroxide. The teeth on the left teeth, from which the pulp had not been removed were used as controls. The teeth were clinically monitored by measuring the mobility and the gingival index, and intraoral photography and standardized X-ray were also performed. A non-decalcificated polished specimen was fluorescence-labeled for histological observation, and the changes in the replanted teeth and the periodontal tissues were evaluated with microradiography, fluorescent microscopy, and polarizing microscopy.
1) No significant difference was observed in terms of tooth mobility or the gingival index between the experimental and control teeth until 5 weeks after replantation. After root canal treatment was performed 5 weeks after replantation, however, the control teeth showed high mobility and a high gingival index, with significant differences between the two groups.
2) The periodontal space of the experimental teeth was hourglass-shaped, wide in the cervical portion and the root apex, and narrow at the central root, For the control teeth, on the other hand, the periodontal space was uneven and functional tissue morphology was lost.
3) Periodontal fiber regeneration was observed in the experimental teeth, there was however, little regeneration among the control teeth.
4) Hard tissue was observed at the root apex and the surrounding alveolar bone in the experimental teeth. Inflammatory absorption was observed in the control teeth.
From a clinical and histopathological standpoint, the results suggested that root canal treatment performed 5 weeks after replantation provided a favorable outcome.
