Evaluation of a combined surgical repair and guided tissue regeneration technique to treat recent root canal perforations.
This study evaluated a technique that included retrofill to repair molar root canal perforations and guided tissue regeneration to restore the periodontium that was removed from the furcation area for access to the sites. Six dogs had root canal therapy on mandibular fourth premolars and first molars. The distal root of each tooth was perforated on the furcation aspect halfway between the furcation and the apex. Replaced flap surgery was performed for access to prepare and fill the perforation site with intermediate Restorative Material. A bone xenograft was placed in the access ostectomy site and covered with GoreTex Augmentation Material (GTAM). Controls included unfilled perforations and not using bone grafts and/or GTAM. Dogs were killed at 6, 12, and 24 wk postsurgery. Complications were more common when root perforations were left unfilled. Histomorphometry revealed a statistically significant decrease in inflammation and more bone fill when root perforations were filled and GTAM was used, respectively.