Evaluation of the Effects of Amoxicillin on Tooth Development in Rats by Histological and Histomorphometric Study

Abstract

Amoxicillin is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in children. As a result, it is prescribed as the first line of defence against cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and respiratory infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Amoxicillin on the formation of dentin and enamel during the secretory and early phases of mineralization. Regarding the materials and methods used to perform this study, 16 pregnant adult Wistar rats were equally divided into two groups. The first group did not receive the drug and was prescribed a saline solution (control group), and the other group received 250 mg/kg/day of Amoxicillin (experimental group). From the 13^th gestational day until delivery, the treatment was given every day by oral gavage. After birth, the newborns also received the same treatment as their mothers from the first day until 7 or 12 days after birth. The newborns were sacrificed at 7 and 12 days postnatally, the jaws were dissected, the maxilla was taken, the samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution, and the upper first molars were analyzed histologically by H & E stain and histomorphometrically by image J to examine the enamel, dentin, ameloblast and odontoblast mean thickness in both groups and each healing periods. The study's results showed that the mean enamel, as well as ameloblastic and odontoblastic layer thickness, were significantly different in the Amoxicillin 250 mg/kg group, compared to the control group. The result also revealed a non-significant group difference in the dentin thickness in both durations (P-value at day 7=0.147 and the P-value at day 12=0.054). Vacuolization of the ameloblastic and odontoblastic layers was observed in the Amoxicillin-treated group in both durations.

Keywords: Ameloblast; Amoxicillin; Dentin; Enamel; Vacuolization.

Figure 1

View of the first molar tooth germ of a 7-day control rat was at a late bell stage, with deposition of dentin (D), enamel matrix layers (EM) on the crown and pre dentin (PD), ameloblast (AM) and odontoblast (OD).H&E × 10

Figure 2

7-day experimental group of upper molar tooth germs, (A) molar tooth germs that reveal enamel matrix (EM), dentin (D), predentin (PD), the pulp (P), odontoblast (OD), ameloblast (AM), H&E×10. (B) At Higher magnification shows ameloblast (AM) attachment to the dentin (D) without the creation of an enamel matrix (EM), also shows hypomineralization area in both enamel matrix (EM) (white arrows) and dentin (D) near dentin enamel junction (DEJ) (black arrows). H&E×40

Figure 3

Higher magnification shows the presence of numerous vacuoles in the ameloblastic layer (AM) and the odontoblastic layer (OD) (black arrow). H&E×40 The crowns of the upper first molar tooth germ at day 12 in the control group revealed a full deposition of hard tissue enamel and dentin. There was an increase in enamel space around the cusp tip region. The enamel matrix partially filled the enamel void at the cusp, which indicated the start of enamel maturation (Figure 4). Initial root dentin formation was seen in the crown's cervical area. The tooth germ is encased in a bony crypt of thin bone trabecula (Figure 5).

Figure 4

The start of enamel maturation is seen in the first molar tooth germ of a 12-day control group that reveals enamel matrix (EM), dentin (D) and ameloblast (AM). H&E×40

Figure 5

View of the germ of the first molar tooth, the beginnings of root dentin development seen in the 12-day control group. The tooth germ is surrounded by bone trabeculae H&E×4

Figure 6

View showing the presence of many vacuoles in the odontoblastic layer (black arrow) (H&E×40)

Figure 7

View showing the presence of many vacuoles in the ameloblastic layer (black arrow) (H&E×40)

Figure 8

Comparison difference in enamel thickness in both groups in each healing period

Figure 9

Comparison in group difference in ameloblast thickness in both healing periods