Abstract:

Objective　To studythe clinical effects of demineralized dentinmatrix (DDM) as a apexificating agent.Meth- ods　Human teeth were crushed into fragments and were defated, demineralized, lyophilized to produce DDM. The DDM was used as an apexificating agent to treat 57 teeth compared with calcium hydroxide. X-ray film and clinical observation were under- taken after half a year, one year and two years.Results　One year later, a barrier in the tooth apexwas found in the X-rays film. Then permanent filling material was used. After two years, DDM group had a healing rate of 92·86%, was higher than that of 91·30% in calcium hydroxide group, but there were no statistical significance.Conclusion　The findings suggest that DDM can be used as a new apexificating agent. One year after the apexification is the best opportunity to change the apexificating agent to a permanent root canal filling material.

Key words: demineralized dentin matrix (DDM), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), calcium hydroxide, apexification