The influence of occlusal stimuli on basic fibroblast growth factor expression in the periodontal healing of...

Occlusal stimuli and the periodontal healing of replanted teeth have been reported to be related. However, the mechanism for preventing dentoalveolar ankylosis remains unclear. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF/FGF-2) is considered as a key factor in wound healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between occlusal stimuli, bFGF, and the periodontal healing after tooth replantation. Five-week-old male rats were divided into non-occluded, occluded, and recovery groups. The right maxillary first molars were replanted in all groups, and the left maxillary first molars in the 2-week occluded group without replantation were served as nontreated. An anterior bite plate was attached to the maxillary and mandibular incisors to produce occlusal hypofunction in the non-occluded group and was then removed after 1 week in the recovery group. Histological observations were performed after 1 and 2 weeks of the experimental period. After 2 weeks, the non-occluded group had detectable ankylosis and obvious periodontal tissue stricture. Meanwhile, the occluded and recovery groups showed enlarged and thickened periodontia without ankylosis. The number of bFGF-positive cells in the occluded and recovery groups significantly increased as compared to in the non-occluded group. These results suggest that occlusal stimuli enhance the production of bFGF in the periodontal healing of replanted teeth and prevent dentoalveolar ankylosis.