TISSUE REACTIONS TO SOME ROOT FILLING MATERIALS IMPLANTED IN BONE OF RABBITS

Samples of root filling materials were loaded into polythene tubes and the specimens implanted in the tibias of rabbits. The following materials were used:- silver amalgam, N2 Normal, Diaket Normal, AH 26, Kri I, zinc oxide and oil of cloves, and zinc phosphate cement. Polythene tubes filled with saline were used as controls. The materials were implanted for periods from 2 days to 6 months and four animals were used at each time interval. The extent of the bone death was greatest at 2 days with all the materials except N2 Normal, and thereafter the number of empty lacunae reduced slowly although, even at 6 months, some were still found. With N2 Normal the area of dead bone increased up to 2 weeks. Bone repair occurred around the specimens and at 3 and 6 months approximately half were completely enclosed by bone. Bone formation occurred within the lumen of most of the tubes filled with saline and Kri I from 4 weeks onwards. © 1969.