Objectives: The aim of this investigation was to assess and compare the irritant effects of three different root canal filling cements implanted into connective tissue of rats. Methods: Thirty buccal roots cut from extracted first human molars were mechanically enlarged to a # 50 size apical file. The root canals were filled with the experimental materials which were hand-mixed according to the manufacturerxs recommendations: Group 1: Diaket (D - ESPE); Group 2: Endion (E - VOCO); and Group 3: AH-Plus (AHP - DENTSPLY). The roots were implanted into surgical pockets performed in the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of rats. After 15 and 90 days the implants were surgically removed, immersed in 10% buffered formalin, decalcified in Morsexs solution and finally processed for microscopic evaluation. Six-micron sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Results: In Groups 1 and 2, discrete-moderate inflammatory reaction was seen at short-term evaluation (15 days) associated to a thin fibrous capsule formation at the apical zone. In Group 3, it was observed displacement of components from the endodontic cement to the adjacent connective tissue triggering a larger zone of inflammatory reaction mediated by macrophages. At long-term evaluation, connective healing occurred for all experimental materials. However, persistent discrete-moderate inflammatory reaction was observed in Group 3. Conclusions: It was concluded that the endodontic cement AHP was more irritant to the connective tissue of rats than D and E. The chronic inflammatory reaction observed in Group 3 was probably caused by particulates released by the experimental root canal filling cement (AHP), which, in turn, allowed no complete connective healing.

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