Histologic assessment of mineral trioxide aggregate as a root-end filling in monkeys

Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) has been shown in a number of experiments to be a potential root-end filling material. The purpose of this study was to examine the periradicular tissue response of monkeys to MTA and amalgam as root-end fillings. The pulps were removed from all the maxillary incisors of three monkeys. The root canals were prepared and filled with laterally condensed gutta-percha and sealer, and the access cavities were restored with amalgam. Buccal mucoperiosteal flaps were raised, and root-end resections were performed before root-end cavity preparation with burs. The root-end cavities in half of the teeth were filled with MTA, while amalgam was placed in the other cavities. After 5 months the periradicular tissue response was evaluated histologically. The results showed no periradicular inflammation adjacent to five of six root ends filled with MTA; also five of six root ends filled with MTA had a complete layer of cementum over the filling. In contrast, all root ends filled with amalgam showed periradicular inflammation, and cementum had not formed over the root-end filling material, although it was present over the cut root end. Based on these results and previous investigations, MTA is recommended as a root-end filling material in man.