[Changes of the periodontal vascular network, periodontal fiber and alveolar bone incident to tooth extrusion]

Abstract

During the application of orthodontic force to a tooth, the surrounding tissues undergo changes of bone resorption and apposition, thereby resulting in tooth movement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interrelationship between alveolar bone changes and the periodontal vascular network caused by extrusive orthodontic force using a scanning electron microscopy. Extrusive orthodontic force was applied to the mandibular 2nd and 3rd premolars of adult dogs. At the completion of the loading process, the inferior alveolar arteries were injected with a low viscosity MMA resin (Mercox). The following results were obtained. 1) At 3 days post-extrusion, various types of vascular network showing a loop pattern were seen along the direction of the tooth movement. 2) At 7 days post-extrusion, various types of vascular network with a hairpin loop pattern along the direction of the tooth movement were observed. Histologically, the fibers of periodontal ligament were stretched in the direction of the extrusion, Vascular hairpin loop formations were observed within the fibers of periodontal ligament. Bone apposition was not observed on the surface of alveolar bone. 3) At 14 days post-extrusion, a much more extensive and developed hairpin loop pattern occurred. Furthermore, new bone apposition was seen on the alveolar bone beneath under the hairpin loops. The periodontal ligament space was retained in the same width, even after bony apposition. 4) At 21 days post-extrusion, the tooth side microvascular network showed abundant low hairpin loops which anastomosed each other, and new spinous bony apposition was observed right below the periodontal vascular network. 5) At 30 days post-extrusion, the periodontal vascular network showed a almost normal appearance, with the rearrangement of vascular network. The surface of the spinous bony apposition became flat. The appositional bone had a lower degree of calcification than the alveolar bone in control group. 6) At 60 days post-extrusion, the periodontal vascular network completed the rearrangement of vasculature.