Tissue reactions following apical plugging of the root canal with infected dentin chips. A histologic study in dogs' teeth.

The object of the present work was to observe whether the condensation of a plug of infected dentin in the apical region, before the filling of a root canal, could show results similar to those found in the absence of contamination. The histologic analysis of the periapical tissues of dogs' teeth containing infected apical plugs showed results that were totally unfavorable, when compared to cases in which the plugs were absent. Such data do not encourage the use of dentin plugs for cases of contaminated root canals, at least until other experiments can better clarify the problem.