Early periodontal disease in the Syrian hamster

An investigation into periodontal disease in the Syrian Golden hamster was conducted over a period of six months. With the periodontitis-producing Diet 2000 only mild destruction of the periodontium was observed. The interproximal area between M1 and M2 may be a better area for analysis of early periodontal disease in the Syrian Golden hamster, as it more nearly approaches the human situation than does the mesial surface of M1. On the whole the hamster may not be a good model species for studying periodontal disease on morphological grounds, despite its excellence in terms of bacteriology and ease and cheapness of animal maintenance. Other animal models are discussed.