This experiment assessed the efficacy of the enamel matrix derivative (EMD) to regenerate cementum in vital and endodontically treated teeth with osseous dehiscence defects. Five adult female beagle dogs were used. Thirty maxillary teeth (bilateral maxillary canines and second and fourth premolars) were randomly divided into two experimental groups (groups A and B, containing 12 teeth each) and one control group (group C). Endodontic treatment was only performed on teeth in group A compared with teeth in groups B and C. Buccal osseous dehiscence defects were surgically created in teeth from all groups. Teeth in the experimental group were treated with the EMD, whereas the controls were not. After 5 months, the animals were sacrificed and block sections of the teeth in experimental and control groups were processed for histological analysis. Newly regenerated cementum was observed in all teeth in groups A and B. No cementum regeneration was observed in group C. There was a significant difference in cementum generation between the experimental and control groups (P < 0.001). EMD therapy induces cementogenesis in vital and endodontically treated teeth with osseous dehiscence defects.
© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.