Histopathologic change of pulp tissue after surgical trauma in monkeys.

: The present study was designed to investigate the effect of surgical trauma on pulp tissue. Two-walled osseous defects were surgically created at the mesial sides of the bilateral mandibular second bicuspids of four Taiwan monkeys. The cementum and partial thickness of dentin were removed with diamond bur. At one side of the mandible, the perforation was made at the midpoint of the root surface facing the created osseous defect to allow the pulp tissue to communicate the defects. The flaps were readapted. The monkeys were sacrificed 6 months postoperatively and prepared for the histologic evaluation. The results showed that in three of the four perforated sites, cementum-like structures were formed at the perforated areas. The pulp tissue kept vital. But replacement resorption was taking place in fourth studied site.