Tissue reactions after experimental luxation injuries in immature rat teeth

Immature permanent teeth often develop complications after luxation injuries. The pathology and the degenerative processes of the complications, however, are not well understood. In this study, we histologically examined the long-term reactions of immature rat teeth after standardized luxation injuries delivered in our previously developed experimental model. The upper first molars of 3-week-old male Wistar rats weighing 50-60 g were pushed horizontally toward the palate to cause a constant amount of dislocation. The follow-up changes of the luxated molars were studied up to 56 days after the trauma. Soon after the trauma, the periodontium had irregular fibers, degenerated cells, hemorrhage and edema in various places. After 12 h, a cell free area appeared in the palatal periodontium. In the alveolar bone and on the surface of the root, resorption occurred one day and 5-7 days after injury respectively. Although the damage in the periodontium and alveolar bone was gradually repaired, the root resorption, especially in the palatal cervical region, continued throughout the experimental period. In the most cases, the dental pulp did not seem to be damaged immediately after the trauma. By the 3rd day after injury, however, displacement of odontoblasts into the dentinal tubules was observed in many teeth. Moreover, formation of irregular dentin was observed in some teeth after 7 days. These changes of the pulp tended to disappear in the later stages of the experiment.