Dental pulp reaction to exposure at different time intervals in open apex canine teeth of cats.
BACKGROUND
Open-apex teeth with irreversible pulpitis require complex and difficult treatment. Providing the right environment for apexogenesis and pulp protection is vital for their long term prognosis. The young pulp of open apex tooth, however, is better equipped against irritation and assault. The aim of this study was to evaluate pulp inflammation in open apex canine teeth of cats.


METHODS
In this in vivo study, twelve cats with open apex canines were used. Pulps were iatrogenically exposed and the animals were sacrificed at one, seven, thirty and ninety days after pulp exposure. Samples were prepared for histological evaluations.


RESULTS
During the first and seventh day, changes were limited to acute inflammation in the coronal pulp. During the first month pulp changes in 45.5% of samples were similar to the seventh day. In the other samples necrosis and abscess spread to the end of the root, and internal resorption and periapical abscess were observed. In 45.5% of samples in the apical region vital tissue was barely observed (during 90 days); in 54.5% of samples however, complete pulp necrosis, internal resorption and a large periapical lesion was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In one and seven-day periods pulp tissue was vital, however, in the thirty and ninety-day periods, minority of the pulp samples were vital.
Department of Endodontics, Dental School, Dental Research Center, Mashad University of Medical Sciences, Mashad, Iran.
Saeed
S
Moradi
Maryam
M
Bidar
Mohammad Hasan
MH
Zarrabi
Ali
A
Talati
Cat; Dental Pulp; Inflammation; Open Apex