Abstract
This study evaluated whether periodontal ligament (PL) thickness varied with root size and examined the possible influence of this variation on orthodontic mechanics. Measurements were taken of the maxillary left first molar in 54 male Wistar rats. Mean mesial and distal PL thicknesses were compared between the intermediate buccal and mesiobuccal roots using paired Student's t-tests with a 5% significance level. Mean values differed significantly between roots (p < 2.2 × 10(-16)). PL thickness in rats is directly proportional to root dimensions.
Highlights
In experimental studies in humans and animals, periodontal ligament (PL) thickness is reported by giving mean values and ranges
Because roots are single, solid structures fixed to a tooth that dissipate pressure into the PL along the entire length of the radicular surface, different responses may be explained instead by variation in PL thickness
Such resorption is often associated with the slight application of force to the PL,[2] suggesting that force is better distributed in the PL of the larger MB root of the first molar compared with the PLs of smaller roots, reducing hyaline formation and root resorption
Summary
In experimental studies in humans and animals, periodontal ligament (PL) thickness is reported by giving mean values and ranges. Mean PL thickness in rats is 0.130 (range, 0.100–0.160) mm across the molar region.[1,2,3]. Tooth movement studies[4,5] in which force was applied to these molars found that responses differed between the larger mesiobuccal (MB) root and the smaller intermediate buccal (IB) and distopalatal roots (Figures 1 and 2). These findings raise the question of whether different responses to force application can be explained by differences in root size. Submitted: Aug 25, 2012 Accepted for publication: Oct 22, 2012 Last revision: Nov 05, 2012
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