Experimentally induced dentoalveolar ankylosis in rats

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Abstract
Dentoalveolar ankylosis is a common complication after replantation of teeth with injured periodontal ligaments. This is a serious complication for the tooth since it leads to progressive root resorption. In young individuals it may also cause infra-occlusion and reduced development of the alveolar process. The purpose of this study was to develop a method applicable to rats in order to follow the effect of systemic and local factors on the development of ankylosis and their possible effect on the length of the functional period of the ankylosed tooth before exfoliation. The maxillary first molars in adult rats were extracted. The periodontal ligaments were devitalized or removed before replantation of the teeth. Dentoalveolar ankylosis was clinically established 2 weeks after replantation. Induction was most reproducible after devitalization or removal of the PDL cells with Dakin's solution and after keeping the rats on a liquid diet up to 3 weeks after replantation. Exfoliation of the teeth usually occurred 6 weeks after replantation. Histological examination showed that the PDL was replaced by bone. The ankylosed teeth showed root resorption to a varying degree. The resorption was in some cases occasionally located in the supra-crestal part of the tooth. A bone-like tissue in the root canal was a rather common finding. In one of the ankylosed teeth cartilage formation was found adjacent to the cementum.