Clinical and structural characteristics of periodontal tissues in young and old dogs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine some clinical and structural features of healthy periodontal tissues in young and old beagle dogs. The material consisted of 10 beagle dogs; group I (1-year old) and group II (8-9 years of age). All animals belonged to the same beagle dog colony and had been carefully monitored from birth. A given day was termed day 0 on which the teeth of all 10 dogs were scaled and polished and a 6-week period of enhanced plaque control was initiated. On day 42, clinical examinations were performed and biopsies obtained from the right mandibular 4th (4P) and 3rd (3P) premolar regions. The biopsies were prepared for histometric and morphometric analyses. Clinically, the lower premolars of the old but not the young dogs showed signs of marked wear. In the old dogs, the free gingival unit had a more curved and bulky appearance than in the young animals and in the old dogs, the free gingiva was consistently separated from the attached gingiva by a gingival groove. The histometrical dimensions of the free marginal gingiva and the width of the coronal portion of the periodontal ligament did not differ between the 2 groups of dogs. The apical cells of the junctional epithelium (aJE) in the young dogs were consistently located at the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), whereas in the old dogs, aJE was consistently located apical to the CEJ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Polarized light microscopic analyses of collagen fibers in the rat incisor periodontal ligament in relation to areas, regions, and ages

“…It has also been reported that the average diameters of collagen fibrils in the periodontal ligament at three root levels of human extracted teeth remain constant (54 -59 nm) from 10 -75 years of age (Luder et al, 1988). By contrast, the volumes of collagen in the supracrestal connective tissues and the periodontal ligament adjacent to the bone crest are significantly larger in old dogs (8 -9 years old) than in young dogs (1 year old) (Berglundh et al, 1991).…”

Aging & Periodontium

“…The significance of these findings could mean an increase in epithelial permeability to bacterial antigens, a decreased resistance to functional trauma, or both, which might influence long-term periodontal outcomes. However, other studies have found no age-related differences in the gingival epithelium of humans or dogs [2]. Other reported changes with aging include the flattening of rete pegs and altered cell density.…”

“…Some reports show migration of the junctional epithelium from its position in healthy individuals (i.e., on enamel) to a more apical position on the root surface with accompanying gingival recession [2]. However, in other animal studies, no apical migration has been noted [3].…”

Gingival Recession in Orthodontics: A Review

“…What was once thought to be passive eruption during the teens is really active eruption, compensating for the vertical jaw growth occurring at that time. Some reports show migration of the junctional epithelium from its position in healthy individuals (i.e., near the CEJ) to a more apical position on the root surface, with accompanying gingival recession [27]. In other animal studies, however, no apical migration has been noted [28].…”