Proliferation of Fibroblast Cells in Periradicular Tissue Following Intentional Replantation of Vertical Root Fractures Using Two Materials

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the fibroblast cells proliferation in periradicular tissue using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and self-adhesive resin cement as the adhesive material for vertical root fracture fragments following intentional replantation.

Materials and methods: This study used 27 male New Zealand rabbits aged 8-12 weeks. The mandibular incisor of each rabbit was extracted, and to simulate vertical fracture, the incisor tooth was sectioned vertically from the cervical to the 2/3 apical. The samples were randomly divided into three groups of nine each. Group 1 (control group), no application of any material. Group 2, the fracture line was sealed using MTA. Group 3, with self-adhesive resin cement. All teeth in all groups were then inserted back (replanted) into the socket of the rabbits. Each group was further divided into three subgroups according to the duration of replantation, namely, group A: week 1, group B: week 2, and group C: week 3. Rabbits were sacrificed according to each duration of replantation for histological preparations. The number of fibroblast cells was evaluated by counting at the three viewpoints under the light-microscope (400× magnification) and Optilab camera; finally, the calculation results were averaged. Data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA and post hoc LSD test, with a significance level of 95%.

Results: Following MTA application in the third week produced the highest number of fibroblast cells (104 + 29.5) compared to other groups. Conversely, the lowest number of fibroblast cells occurred in the control group in the first week of observation (4.33 + 3.5).

Conclusion: MTA produced the greatest fibroblast cell proliferation than self-adhesive resin cement, particularly in week 3 of vertical root fractures replantation.

Clinical significance: As the adhesive material for vertical root fracture fragments, MTA generated greater fibroblast proliferation than self-adhesive resin cement. Therefore, it is recommended to use MTA to attach vertical root fracture fragments.