Reaction of rat subcutaneous tissue to implants of gutta-percha for endodontic use.

The present work studied the reaction caused in the connective tissue of rats by implantation of two brands of gutta-percha cones, and thermoplasticized gutta-percha cylinders. Thirty-six rats were used, in groups of 12, for periods of 15, 30, and 60 days. Each animal received one test implant of each material, and one implant of Teflon as control. The cylinders, and one of the brands of gutta-percha cones, were well tolerated by the connective tissue. The cones of the other brand elicited different reactions, of which the possible causes are herein discussed.