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Published on: October 27, 2023
Pulpal cellular reactions to experimental tooth movement in rats
Thorsten Grünheid1, Barbara A Morbach, Andrej Zentner
1Department of Orthodontics, Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, Universiteit van Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. t.gruenheid@acta.nl
Summary
Experimental tooth movement in rats causes temporary dental pulp trauma. Early healing responses include increased macrophages, cell proliferation, and blood vessel growth.
Area of Science:
- Dental Biology
- Orthodontics
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Orthodontic treatment involves controlled tooth movement.
- Understanding the dental pulp's response to orthodontic forces is crucial for clinical success.
- Early cellular events in the pulp during tooth movement are not fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the early cellular reactions within the dental pulp during experimentally induced tooth movement.
- To assess the temporal dynamics of pathological changes and cellular proliferation in the pulp.
Main Methods:
- Experimental tooth movement was induced in 98 male rats using elastic bands.
- Animals were labeled with tritiated thymidine for cell proliferation assessment.
- Pulpal tissues were analyzed histologically for pathological signs, macrophage content, and cell proliferation.
Main Results:
- Pathological signs and macrophage infiltration in the dental pulp increased over time.
- Significant proliferation of pulpal connective tissue progenitor cells and endothelial cells was observed.
- These cellular responses were directly related to the applied orthodontic force.
Conclusions:
- Force-induced tooth movement triggers significant, albeit temporary, trauma to dental pulp tissues.
- The pulp initiates early wound-healing processes, including macrophage recruitment and cell proliferation.
- Angiogenesis and progenitor cell activation are key components of the pulp's response to orthodontic forces.
