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The coauthors of this article had developed the clinical impression that whereas surgically placed amalgam fillings are successful on a short-term basis, the long-term prognosis for these cases may not be nearly as favorable. In order to test this hypothesis, as many patients as could be contacted, either directly or indirectly, who had been treated before 1981 were evaluated. Excluded from this study were cases for which failure could be attributed to any reason other than failure from the amalgam reverse filling. Therefore, all cases included had to demonstrate periapical healing prior to ultimate breakdown. On this basis, 60 of 104 teeth (57.7%) were considered to be successful and 44 teeth (42.3%) were determined to be failures.

Endodontically treated, submerged roots in two Macaca speciosa monkeys were studied clinically, radiographically, and histologically. The roots were successfully covered by soft tissue, except in two areas. In several sites, radiographic evidence of bone formation was observed; this was confirmed by histologic examination. Bone formation coronal to the submerged roots was not a predictable occurrence. Even though epithelium and inflammation commonly occurred over the amputation sites, their presence did not seem to affect bone formation.