No abstract

Human gingival fibroblasts were used to study the in vitro attachment of cells to the root surface of periodontally-involved teeth. The portion of the root exposed to the disease process had little or no cell attachment; on the remainder of the root, the cells attached normally. Prior extraction of the roots with phenol-water or the mechanical removal of diseased cementum allowed the cells to attach normally. All things being equal, the extrapolation of these data to an in vivo situation dictates that a clinical success would depend upon complete removal of toxic materials from diseased cementum or the removal of the cementum itself.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of four commercially available dressings (Coe, PPC‐Eugcnol, PPC‐Non Eugenol, and Ward's Wondr Pak) on a monolayer of cells, employing the cell culture assay plate assembly. Monolayers of L929 fibroblasts were grown out on the cell culture assay plates and stained with a vital stain, .01 % Neutral Red, 8 mm discs of prepared periodontal dressings, as well as sterile filter paper and high density polyethylene discs, which served as controls, were placed on the monolayer. Observations were made at 1, 2, 6, 8 and 24 hour intervals, and measurements of the toxic zones were recorded. Results indicate that all periodontal dressings tested in this system demonstrated definite cytotoxicity. Both macroscopically and microscopically, the first signs of cell damage and/or death were observed adjacent to Ward's Wondr Pak and PPC‐Non Eugenol dressings. Although these two dressings produced the earliest toxic signs, after 24 hours Coe‐Pak produced the most extensive zones of destruction, while PPC‐Eugenol appeared to be the least toxic.

No abstract