Accelerated senescence animal models and application in dentistry: A scoping review

Accelerated senescence models are increasingly utilized in aging research; however, their application in dental studies remains relatively limited. This scoping review investigates the use of these models within oral research. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and registered with the Open Science Framework, to identify relevant in vivo studies published between January 2020 and March 2025. Eligible studies involved accelerated senescence animal models in oral health contexts. Data were extracted on animal types, induction methods, aging biomarkers (e.g., P53, P21, P16, SA-β-gal), and outcomes for narrative synthesis. From 377 screened articles, 29 met the inclusion criteria. Three primary types of models were identified: chemically induced, physically stress-induced, and genetically based. The majority of studies focused on periodontitis (41.4 %), followed by salivary gland dysfunction. Key aging features examined included cell cycle arrest (79.3 %), senescence-associated secretory phenotypes, oxidative stress, and lysosomal alterations. Diabetes-induced aging was employed in 37.9 % of studies, and mice were the predominant animal model used (75.9 %). The findings suggest that accelerated senescence models show promise in oral aging research, especially in periodontitis and diabetes-related conditions. Incorporating multiple biomarkers may enhance model relevance and support targeted strategies in geriatric oral care.