The effect of root decalcification on the formation of "functionally" oriented collagen fibers.

It has been shown that "functionally" oriented collagen fibers will attach to cementum when a healthy root fragment is implanted subcutaneously in the rat along with decalcified autogenous bone. The purpose of the present study was to show how prior root decalcification affected this inductive action. Twenty-six pairs of bone and root were implanted in 13 200-gm, female, white, Sherman strain rats. The postoperative periods ranged from 1 week to 12 months. The results showed that root decalcification prevented formation of the "functionally" oriented fibers and inhibited bone induction by the decalcified autogenous bone. It was suggested that all roots have an inhibitor, the least amount in periodontally healthy roots and the most in periodontally diseased roots. It was suggested that the clinical successes in reattachment reported with acid treatment of roots were due to the denaturant effects rather than surface decalcification.