[Alveolar bone resorption process in molar tooth region in calcium-deficient rats]

The present study was carried out to investigate the alveolar bone resorption in the molar tooth region in the rats fed a low calcium diet. Male Wistar rats (70-85g in body weight) were either fed a low calcium diet (0.05% Ca, 0.35% P) or a control diet (0.5% Ca, 0.35% P) by using a pair feeding technique. The rats were sacrificed at intervals of 3, 6, 9 and 20 days during the experimental period. Contact microradiograph of the second molar region of the mandible showed that the cancellus bone as well as the endosteal surface of the cortical bone were progressively resorbed soon after the start of low calcium feeding. At day 9, the amount of bone was reduced to about half of the control rats and 80% of the bone was diminished at day 20. In spite of the severe bone resorption, the alveolar bone proper that surrounds the molar sockets and a few cancellus bone were seen remaining and the occlusal function of the molar tooth seemed to be maintained. These results suggest that the alveolar bone quickly responded to the low calcium diet resulting in bone resorption and that the bone in the supporting tissues of the molar tooth seems to be not affected by the calcium deficiency.