Periodontal tissue regeneration including cementogenesis adjacent to dentin-bonded retrograde composite fillings in humans

The roots of two incisors were treated by apicoectomy and a retrograde dentin-bonded composite filling. Periapical healing was observed a few months later by radiography. Later, due to root fracture and marginal bone resorption, the apical parts were removed including adjacent periapical bone. A histological and scanning electron microscopic examination of the tissue showed reformation of periodontium adjacent to the composite, including reformation of a lamina dura, inserting Sharpey's fibers and cementum deposited in intimate contact with the composite. This finding is in agreement with previous observations of tissue surrounding retrograde dentin-bonded composite fillings placed in monkeys, indicating that tissue regeneration including cementogenesis may occur on composite material and consequently form a biological closure of the root canal.