Focal hyalinization during experimental tooth movement in beagle dogs

The aim was to study morphological differences between the periodontal structures of beagle dogs showing different rates of tooth movement under identical experimental conditions. An orthodontic appliance was placed on the mandibular second premolar and the first molar to exert a continuous and constant reciprocal force of 25 cN. Tooth movement was recorded weekly. The dogs were killed after 1, 4, 20, 40, and 80 days for histological evaluation. Haematoxylin and eosin staining was used for tissue survey, alkaline phosphatase staining was used as a marker for active osteoblasts, and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining was used for osteoclasts. After 24 hours, osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity had already increased at the pressure and tension sides, respectively, and, in some samples, hyalinization was found. In case of fast-moving teeth, areas of direct bone resorption at the pressure side and deposition of trabecular bone at the tension side were found throughout the experimental period. In the periodontal ligaments of teeth showing little movement, small patches of hyalinization were found at the pressure side, mostly located buccally or lingually of the mesiodistal plane. These phenomena were found in both molars and premolars and at all time points. It is concluded that small focal hyalinizations might be a factor that could explain individual differences in the rate of tooth movement.