Predictability of probing depths in ligature-induced periodontal defects in beagle dogs.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictability of a method of creating periodontal defects in dogs. The dentogingival fibres around the lower premolars of 12 beagle dogs were cut to the level of the alveolar bone and closely adapted copper bands were cemented to the teeth. After 3 weeks the copper bands were replaced by cotton ligatures which were left in place for 11 weeks. After this active phase the ligatures were removed, and the defects were allowed to heal for varying periods up to 30 weeks. Probing depths were recorded at different stages of the experiment. Indications for predictability were: 1° the magnitude of the standard deviations of the mean probing depths and 2° the differences between results from contralateral areas. Relatively deep defects were obtained immediately after creation, but the magnitude of the standard deviation of the mean indicated wide variations in probing depths. Following ligature removal probing depths decreased but were of a more uniform depth. These results indicate that variation of probing depths in artificial periodontal defects is rather high immediately after creation but decreases drastically during the healing phase. It was concluded that in young adult beagle dogs predictable periodontal defects, 3.0–3.5 millimeters in depth, can be produced artificially provided that the initial deeper artificially created defects are allowed to heal for at least 3 months.