The periapical tissue reactions to a calcium phosphate cement in the teeth of monkeys.

A calcium phosphate cement, Grossman sealer, and Sargenti N2 were compared under conditions where root canals of monkey incisors were deliberately overfilled and the apical tissue responses were evaluated histologically. The periapical tissues exposed to Sargenti N2 revealed severe irritation at all times through the 6-month experimental period. The reactions to Grossman sealer were milder but persisted throughout the observation period. The calcium-phosphate-cement treated animals showed mild tissue irritation after 1 month, but thereafter the adverse tissue reactions were minimal. New bone formation adjacent to the cement was also observed. These results point to the possibility that calcium phosphate cement might be used in simplified endodontic procedures. The compatibility of calcium phosphate cement with the periapical tissue suggests that the cement may have other applications in dentistry and medicine.