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.
Smith
M M
MM
Comparative Oral Research Laboratory, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061-0442, USA.
Saunders
G K
GK
Payne
J T
JT
Cox
C F
CF
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