Histologic evaluation of the effects of Emdogain gel on injured root apex in rats

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated the effects of Emdogain gel (EMD) on the injured open apex within periapical lesions.

Methods: Periapical lesions were induced in rats by opening the pulp chambers of the mandibular first molars and filing the apical foramen through the distal root canal with #25 K-files to make an open apex. The teeth were exposed to the oral environment for 7 days. Then we irrigated the distal root canals and divided them into EMD-treated and propylene glycol alginate-treated groups. The rats were killed 7, 14, and 28 days after treatment and examined histochemically.

Results: In the EMD-treated rats, more cells expressed transforming growth factor-β1 or bone morphogenetic protein-2 at 7 days after treatment, and the regeneration of cementum and bone was observed around the root apex at 14 days after treatment. Conversely, in the propylene glycol alginate-treated group, few cells expressed transforming growth factor-β1 or bone morphogenetic protein-2, and apical periodontal tissue recovery was rarely seen within the periapical lesions throughout the experiment.

Conclusions: These results suggest that EMD does not irritate injured periapical tissue and may create a favorable environment that promotes the healing of destroyed periapical tissues.

Keywords: BMP-2; Emdogain; TGF-β1; open-apex; wound healing.