Effect of delayed calcium hydroxide treatment on periodontal healing in contaminated replanted teeth.

The effect of delayed intracanal calcium hydroxide treatment on experimentally induced extensive inflammatory root resorption in monkeys was studied. A significant shift from inflammatory resorption to ankylosis was noted following calcium hydroxide treatment. Furthermore, calcium hydroxide treatment appeared to change the pattern of ankylosis over time, although the total ankylotic area remained the same. Ankylosis preceded by root resorption (replacement resorption) increased, while ankylosis not associated with root resorption decreased. It was concluded that intracanal calcium hydroxide treatment of teeth with compromised PDM may cause unnecessary replacement resorption if left in the root canal for a long time or changed repeatedly.