[Research Advances in the Replication of Animal Models for Periodontal Diseases]

Rodent models play a crucial role in research on human periodontal diseases, providing key evidence for investigation into the pathological mechanisms of periodontal bone defects. Relevant research in the field involves gene expression, inflammatory regulation mechanisms, host-microbial interactions, as well as disease resolution and healing processes. Research methodology in the field falls under 2 categories-periodontal inflammation models and surgical defect models. The former simulates periodontal defects by inducing periodontal diseases, while the latter constructs clinically simulated periodontal defects through surgical removal of periodontal tissue. However, the currently available animal models of periodontitis face challenges in simultaneously capturing the disease complexity, tracking dynamic repair processes, and meeting translational needs. Herein, we reviewed and summarized the methods and characteristics of periodontal disease modeling in recent years. We proposed the establishment of a multimodal assessment framework integrating technologies such as spatial transcriptomics, single-cell sequencing, and in vivo fluorescence imaging, which may serve as a critical pathway for overcoming existing research challenges.