New periodontal ligament formation on a synthetic hydroxyapatite surface.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a new connective tissue attachment can occur on a surface of hydroxyapatite (HA) when periodontal ligament (PDL)-derived cells with the ability to form new connective tissue attachment are allowed to populate the surface of HA. Six maxillary canines from 3 cats were used for this experiment. Under anesthesia, fenestration of the buccal alveolar bone was performed over the canine root and a cavity was prepared on the root surface. A synthetic HA block was inlaid and cemented into the root cavity. A Teflon membrane was then placed to cover the access opening of the alveolar bone to guide PDL-derived cell proliferation into the surface of the HA block. Finally, the gingival tissue flap was replaced and sutured. Six months after the operation, histologic evaluation was done by serial sections. In 4 of the 6 canines, PDL-derived cells successfully populated the HA surfaces and a layer of cementum-like tissue was formed on the HA blocks. A PDL-like connective tissue layer was seen between the cementum-like layer covering the exposed HA surface and the newly formed alveolar bone sealing the bone fenestration. Collagen fibers in the PDL-like tissue inserted their ends into the newly formed bone and the cementum-like tissue. The present findings demonstrated that PDL-derived cells can form a new connective tissue attachment on HA.