Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Microhardness Measurements on Tooth and Alveolar Bone in Rodent Oral Disease Models
Published on: April 26, 2024
Microhardness changes in dentine after neonatal capsaicin application
T L Krage1, A Stiefel, B M Stephan
1Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry and Endodontics, Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany. krage@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
Aim:
To determine if desensitization of the nociceptive innervation in the dental pulp has an effect on odontoblast function in the rat.
Methodology:
Neonatal systemic application of capsaicin was used to selectively eliminate nociceptive innervation. 12 capsaicin-treated rats were intravitally perfused at 150 days of life with 4% formaldehyde and jaws were prepared for Vicker's microhardness (VMH) measurement. As a control, 12 rats were injected with vehicle on the 3rd day of life and intravital perfusion was carried out exactly as those used for the experimental group. Immunohistological labeling of CGRP was carried out in both groups to assure the efficiency of desensitization in the experimental group. The VMH was measured in the incisors of each animal for a quantitative analysis of dentine quality.
Results:
Vicker's microhardness was significantly higher in the control rats compared with the capsaicin-treated rats (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Neonatal systemic application of capsaicin produces changes in the quality of dentine in the rat over time and therefore it is suggestive that selective elimination of the nociceptive innervation in pulpal tissue may effect odontoblast function.
