Effects of local irritation and dextran sulphate administration on the periodontium of the rat.

Abstract

Local irritation, provided by means of silk ligatures at the necks of mandibular first molars of rats, caused significant resorption of crestal alveolar bone. This resorption did not change significantly in extent from 27 days after placement of the ligatures. However, in rats receiving injections of dextran sulphate, there was no significant reduction in height of crestal alveolar bone of non‐ligated mandibular first molars. The injections of dextran sulphate caused the appearance of large numbers of multinucleated osteoclasts adjacent to the alveolar bone surrounding the mandibular molar teeth. There was increased irregularity of the periodontal surface of this alveolar bone. When the local and general factors were combined there was a significant increase in resorption of the crestal alveolar bone mesial to the mandibular first molars at 37 days after placement of ligatures. The systemic agent was seen to augment the effects of the local irritant beyond the time at which local irritation alone ceased to have any demonstrable effect.