Biocompatibility of a self-adhesive gutta-percha-based material in subcutaneous tissue of mice.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of a self-adhesive gutta-percha material and compare it with that of conventional gutta-percha.

METHODS

Standard quantities of bioactive gutta-percha and conventional gutta-percha were directly inserted subcutaneously into the dorsal connective tissue of 30 BALB/c mice according to ISO 10993-6. After 7, 21, and 63 days each, 10 animals were euthanized, and the materials and surrounding tissue were removed. Tissue samples were subjected to histological processing resulting in 5-μm-thick slices stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Gomori trichrome stain. A grade ranging from I-IV was used to classify the inflammatory reaction. The Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction was used to compare the grade of inflammation induced by the materials at each time point. Qualitative evaluation of biocompatibility over time was also performed.

RESULTS

Bioactive gutta-percha was more biocompatible than conventional gutta-percha at each time interval (P < .05). Tissue exposed to bioactive gutta-percha reached "no inflammation" (grade I) at the 21-day interval, whereas it took 63 days for the conventional gutta-percha to reach the "slight inflammation" level (grade II).

CONCLUSIONS

Bioactive gutta-percha presented good tissue reaction at all time points. It may serve as an alternative to gutta-percha in terms of biocompatibility.