Accelerated Reattachment with Cementogenesis to Dentin, Demineralized in Situ: I. Optimum Range

This study confirms an original report describing accelerated reattachment with cementogenesis to root dentin, surgically exposed and demineralized in situ. It additionally describes results of 250 experiments on over 1000 teeth in mongrel dogs and cats designed to identify an optimum range of demineralization related to type of agent, pH, and time of application. This optimum range consistently induces flap reattachment with cementogenesis, while demineralization rates above and below this range enhance reattachment relative to undermineralized controls, but do not consistently induce new cementum. Although most controls demonstrated some reattachment with partial cementogenesis, none produced complete repair as did properly demineralized root surfaces and approximately one-third showed spithelial migration to the apical borders of the wound. No demineralized teeth demonstrated this control result. Small species differences in the response to root demineralization and the degree of hypermineralization of roots adjacent to chronic periodontal pockets, may make optimum ranges determined in this animal study slightly low for human pocket reaattachment techniques.