Attachment of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts to 3 different root-end filling materials: Scanning electron microscope observation.

OBJECTIVE The attachment behavior of the human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts to root-end filling materials (amalgam and Super-EBA) was compared in vitro to gutta-percha by means of scanning electron microscope. STUDY DESIGN Amalgam and Super-EBA were placed in a prepared cavity of root slices of freshly extracted human teeth and evaluated freshly prepared. Root slices of teeth with cold-burnished gutta-percha filling with AH26 sealer were used for comparison. The root slices were placed in tissue culture cluster, and 1 mL of cell suspension was added carefully over the root slice. They were incubated at 37 degrees C and 100% humidity for 4, 24, and 72 hours. RESULTS Results showed that the cold-burnished gutta-percha provides a better substrate than amalgam and Super-EBA for cell growth and attachment. Amalgam was the most toxic material, showing early manifestation of cell injury. CONCLUSION It was concluded that the composition and surface texture of the substrate have an influence on the morphology and the attachment of the PDL fibroblasts. It is suggested that cell attachment and morphology might reflect the biocompatibility of the substratum.