Effect of systemic tetracycline and amoxicillin on inflammatory root resorption of replanted dogs' teeth

The use of systemic penicillin after an avulsion injury has been recommended as a way to decrease the occurrence of resorption complications. Our previous study has shown systemic tetracycline to possess anti-resorptive properties independent of potential anti-bacterial actions. The purpose of this study was to compare histologically the effectiveness of tetracycline and amoxicillin in limiting inflammatory root resorption (IR) secondary to pulpal infection, in replanted dogs' teeth. Thirty root canals in five dogs were infected with plaque. The roots were extracted, the lingual mid-roots were shaved with a fissure bur ensuring cemental damage and immediately replanted. Dogs were given either tetracycline hydrochloride or amoxicillin, administered orally, on the day of extraction and replantation and for the following 6 days. The control group was teeth in these animals treated in the same manner but where no antibiotics were given. After approximately 6 months, the dogs were sacrificed and the teeth prepared for histologic evaluation. The shaved root surface was identified in cross-sections and eight equidistant points along the cut root surface were evaluated for healing (H) or IR in eight sections per tooth. For the tetracycline group, H averaged 67.22% and IR 32.78%, which was not statistically different from the amoxicillin group with H averaging 56.88% and IR 43.12%. The tetracycline group was superior to the control group with H = 27.86% and IR = 72.14%. Since tetracycline has been shown to have anti-resorptive properties in addition to the antibacterial properties demonstrated here, it could be considered as an alternative to amoxicillin after avulsion injuries.