Effect of stannous fluoride and tetracycline on periodontal repair after delayed tooth replantation in dogs.

Previous studies have indicated that inflammatory resorption and ankylosis, which are frequent sequela after delayed tooth replantation, can be greatly reduced by treating the root surface with 1% solutions of stannous fluoride and tetracycline. However, the SnF2 conditioning leaves a long-standing inflammatory reaction in the periodontal ligament. To examine whether a more dilute SnF2 solution would reduce postoperative inflammation without jeopardizing any beneficial effects, anterior teeth in three young adult beagles were extracted and allowed to air-dry for 45 min. They were then immersed in 0.1% SnF2 for 5 min, rinsed in saline, immersed in 1% doxycycline HCl for 5 min, rinsed, and replanted. Control teeth were air-dried and replanted without further treatment. Block biopsies were harvested after 4 wk of healing and processed for histometric analysis. In experimental teeth, 85% of the root surface area showed normal healing, compared to 33% in control teeth. Conversely, resorption and ankylosis were more frequent in controls than in experimental teeth. A persisting inflammatory reaction either adjacent to or at a distance from the root surface was seen in limited areas in both experimental and control teeth. Compared to preceding studies, the findings indicate that reducing the strength of the SnF2 solution from 1% to 0.1% may result in less persistent inflammation, at the cost, however, of less complete prevention of inflammatory resorption and ankylosis.