Response of periradicular tissues to growth factors introduced into the surgical site in the root-end filling material

Aim The objective of this study was to evaluate the healing of the periradicular tissues when exogenous growth factors were delivered to the respected root-end. The healing response was compared with that when Diaket was used as a control. Methodology Non-surgical root canal treatment was performed on mandibular teeth in mongrel dogs. Surgical treatment followed and included root-end resection and root-end cavity preparation. Insulin-like growth factor in combination with platelet-derived growth factor, or fibroblast growth factor alone, were then placed in the root-end preparations on a polyractic acid carrier (Atrisorb) with or without the incorporation of the carrier tetracalcium phosphate. The healing was evaluated at 60 days with regard to presence of inflammatory response, bone regeneration, periodontal ligament formation and cementum formation. Results Osseous regeneration in the excisional would and periodontal formation were significantly greater when Diaket was used as the root-end filling material. Likewise, cementum deposition occurred significantly more frequently in the Diaket group (P < 0.05). The polylactic carrier Atrisorb remained in the surgical sites for the duration of the study. Conclusions The use of specific growth factors, FGF and a combination of IGF/PDGF, delivered to the prepared root end in a collagen carrier did not initiate the desired periradicular tissue response of regeneration. Diaket, as used in this study, did stimulate a periradicular tissue response compatible with regeneration.