[Periodontal reactions to orthodontic forces in the diabetic metabolic state]

The reaction of the periodontium to orthodontic tooth movement was studied in rats with streptozotocin diabetes. Forces employed to initiate mesial movement of first molar were 10 N 20 N 30 N and the duration of application was three, six, ten and 14 days. The 14-day rats were treated with fluorochrome sequential labelling according to Rahn. Diabetes mellitus in rats is accompanied by characteristic changes: The most important findings were: 1. a slow osseous regeneration, as could be shown by fluorescence microscopy, 2. the new bone ist unable to pick up the labellings in a sequential manner, 3. a weakening of the periodontal ligamentum, 4. microangiopathies in the gingiva area. the specific diabetic changes are more pronounced following orthodontic tooth movement.