Reprint of: Relationship Between Surface and Inflammatory Resorption and Changes in the Pulp After Replantation of Permanent Incisors in Monkeys.

The etiology of surface and inflammatory root resorption after the replantation of incisors was examined in green vervet monkeys. The teeth were examined histologically and histobacteriologically for pulpal healing and root resorption 2 and 8 weeks after replantation. In contrast to surface resorption, inflammatory resorption was related to infected necrotic tissue or an infected leukocyte zone in the root canal. The following theory for surface and inflammatory resorption is presented. Damaged periodontal ligament areas and damaged parts of the root surface are attacked by a resorption process whereby resorption of cementum and dentin may occur. Inflammatory resorption or surface resorption will then occur depending on the pulpal status and the depth of the resorption cavity. If the resorption cavity penetrates the intermediate layer of cementum and contacts dentinal tubules that are in communication with infected necrotic pulp tissue or an infected leukocyte zone, then inflammatory resorption will take place as a result of the diffusion of toxic elements from the pulp canal to the resorption cavity. However, if the resorption cavity is shallow and does not penetrate the intermediate layer of cementum, a tooth that displays similar pulpal changes will elicit only surface resorption because the intermediate layer of cementum will tend to arrest the diffusion of toxic elements. Finally, if the pulp contains vital, inflamed, or noninflamed tissue or if root canal treatment has been performed, surface resorption will occur regardless of the depth of the cavity.