Histological study of periapical tissue healing in the rat molar after retrofilling with various materials

We histologically examined the effects on the periapical tissue of various dental filling materials applied as retrofillings in rats and compared them with those of amalgam. The 4-META-TBB resin Superbond and the light-cured composite resin produced the least severe inflammatory reaction, with the greatest amount of new bone. In these specimens, regeneration of a part of the periodontal ligament was also observed. These results indicate that these materials might be very biocompatible and thus foster the natural regeneration of the periapical tissue.