New attachment in monkeys with experimental periodontitis with and without removal of the cementum

Experimental periodontitis was induced in monkeys by means of elastic orthodontic ligatures. The periodontally-involved teeth were then treated with different methods. At the end of the treatment period, the monkeys were sacrificed. The premolar-molar areas were dissected out and embedded in a low-viscosity embedding medium (Spurr). The results of the treatment procedures were analyzed on ground sections. Formation of new cementum and new bone was determined by means of tetracycline labeling. Root planing with an ultrasonic device or with hand instruments almost completely removed the cementum and a portion of the peripheral dentin. The root surface was more uneven after treatment with the ultrasonic device than after using hand instruments. No new attachment could be found after root planing. Cleaning of the periodontally-involved root surfaces with two detergents (cetylpyrimidinium chloride and sodium-N-lauroyl sarcosine) without root planing resulted in a significant amount of new attachment.