Ultrastructural study of new connective tissue attachment to the acid-treated root in monkeys and dogs

Abstract

A long-term study on soft tissue healing to acid-treated root surfaces in monkeys and dogs was carried out. The experimental teeth including gingiva and bone were extracted at 2, 3 and 4 weeks after surgery, and undecalcified specimens were prepared routinely for TEM. In dogs, complete interdigitation between exposed fibrils and newly-formed ones was seen two weeks after surgery. In monkeys, however, inflammatory cells were still identifiable in the wound even at three weeks, and weak interdigitation occurred as late as four weeks. The results showed profound differences between monkeys and dogs in the response of healing tissue to exposed fibrils.