Effects of Root Demineralization on Fibronectin Adsorption

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of root demineralization on fibronectin ad-sorption in vitro. Root segments prepared from periodontally-diseased teeth were thoroughly planed to remove cementum, and were divided into 3 groups (control, citric acid treatment and tetra-cycline treatment). Fibronectin adsorption was evaluated by quantitative analxsis using ¹²⁵I Fi-bronectin and immuno-scanning electron micros-copy. Fibronectin adsorption increased in a time -dependent fashion in all groups. Citric acid treat-ment and tetracycline treatment caused a signifi-cant increase in fibronectin adsorption, but there was no significant difference beween the citric acid and tetracycline treatments. In the morphological observation, control group root surfaces resulted formed a smear layer, whereas citric acid treatment and tetracycline treatment removed the smear layer and exposed collagen fibers. Fibronectin adsorp-tion was also observed on the exposed collagen fibers by immuno-scanning electron microscopy. These results suggest that dentin collagen exposure by root demineralization is useful for clinical appli-cation of fibronectin in periodontal therapy.