Irritating effect of formocresol after pulpectomy in vivo.

A study was carried out to investigate the effect of formocresol (formalin-creosote) on the periapical tissue after pulpectomy in rats. A pulpectomy was performed on the mesial root of the right mandibular first molar, and, in group A, a paper point containing saline was inserted into the root canal. In group B, a paper point containing formocresol was inserted, and in group C, a drop of formocresol was applied and a paper point containing formocresol was inserted into the root canal. The periapical tissue was examined histologically and histometrically at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after insertion, and the inflammatory cells and fibroblasts in the apical granulation tissue were also counted. Histologically, in group A, the inflammation observed was slight at 14 and 28 days, while in groups B and C, a moderate inflammation remained. Histometrically, the area of the apical periodontal ligament in groups B and C was increased significantly compared with that in group A at 14 and 28 days. The inflammatory cell count in groups B and C increased significantly compared with that in group A at 7, 14, and 28 days, whereas the fibroblast count in Groups B and C decreased compared with that in Group A at 7, 14, and 28 days. These results demonstrate that formocresol delayed the healing of periapical tissue after pulpectomy.