Direct histological comparison of periodontal wound healing in the beagle dog with and without citric acid conditioning

Direct hislological comparison was made of periodontal healing in the beagle dog with and without citric acid conditioning. The acid was applied into one of two small standardized cavities which were prepared on the root surface through a semilunar mucosal incision and a surgically‐created fenestration in the facial alveolar bone. Comparisons were made by general study of serial sections as well as histometric assessments, with particular attention to the formation of cementum. Acid treated cavities exhibited increased cementogenesis as compared to controls. The extent of cementum, its thickness and its area in the sections were, on the average, nearly three times that of the controls. New cementum and connective tissue in the acid treated cavities exhibited minimal artifactual separation from the dentin, whereas in the controls, separation was widespread, signifying that a weaker physical attachment had developed. Differences in the extent of bone formation were not significant. The study confirms a positive effect of citric acid conditioning on cementogenesis and reattachmenl, demonstrating effectiveness with application limited strictly to the root surface.