Fibrin clot adhesion to root surface treated with tetracycline hydrochloride and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid: A scanning electron microscopic study

BACKGROUND: Connective tissue attachment following periodontal regenerative surgery is directly related to the attachment of fibrin clot on to the root surface during early wound healing events. The adhesion of fibrin clot to the root surface affected by periodontal disease depends on the biologic acceptance of the root surface which can be accomplished by various root conditioning procedures during periodontal therapy. The present in vitro study has been designed to evaluate and compare the degree of fibrin clot adhesion to root surfaces treated with root conditioning agents tetracycline hydrochloride and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 dentin blocks are divided into three groups and treated with tetracycline hydrochloride, EDTA and phosphate buffered saline and a drop of blood is added to each dentin block. The dentin blocks are then prepared for scanning electron microscopic analysis and examined for the degree of fibrin network frmation and entrapped erythrocytes. RESULTS: The degree of fibrin clot adhesion was highest with tetracycline hydrochloride group, then with control group and least with EDTA treated group. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, root conditioning with tetracycline hydrochloride produces a biologically acceptable root surface with enhanced fibrin clot adhesion, which is a critical step in early wound healing process. EDTA gel appears less effective in producing a root surface necessary for the adhesion of fibrin clot. The control without any root conditioning procedure showed poor fibrin clot adhesion when compared to tetracycline treated group, but when compared to EDTA treated group the fibrin clot adhesion was slightly better.