Pulp remains viable following vital amputation of the mesio-buccal root of the maxillary fourth premolar in dogs.
Vital amputation of the mesio-buccal root of the maxillary fourth premolar (P4) was performed bilaterally in 8 dogs. Histopathologic evaluation of the tooth structure revealed normal pulp in the remaining mesio-buccal, mesio-palatal, and distal roots and crown during a mean follow-up period of 3.5 +/- 1.9 months. Amputation site healing was characterized by a reparative dentin bridge produced by odontoid cells. Tunnel defects were observed in 13 of 16 (81%) dentin bridges. It is concluded that the pulp of a tri-rooted, periodontal disease-free tooth remains viable during a 6-month period following vital root amputation. These results point to the intriguing possibility that this may also occur in humans, however, this needs to be directly tested in man.
Comparative Oral Research Laboratory, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061-0442, USA.
M M
MM
Smith
G K
GK
Saunders
J T
JT
Payne
C F
CF
Cox
D000818:Animals; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000601:surgery*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000502:physiology*; D003809:Dentin, Secondary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D004285:Dogs; D008437:Maxilla; D011672:Pulpotomy; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing