Experimental Allogeneic Tooth Transplantation in the Rhesus Monkey

Abstract

Forty-eight tooth allografts were studied histologically and radiographically four days to 13 months after transplantation. The pulp and periodontal ligament degenerated and appeared to be replaced by host tissues. The relationship of attached fibers or uncalcified cells of hard tissues to allograft immunity and the similarity of tooth allografts to other tissue allografts were discussed.

Histopathological and immunological aspects of tooth transplantation

“…Similar behavior to autografted and isografted tissue has been reported; namely recovery and renewal of dentinogenesis (Fong & Agnew 1958, Hoffman 1960, Ivanyi 1965a, Hoffman 1966, 1967, Weinreb et al 1968, Macedo-Sobrinho & Iranpour 1971. A number of authors have also observed that fibrous replacement of the pulp takes place (Ivanyi & Vacek 1964a, Ivanyi 1965a, 1965b, Fong et al 1968, Mincer & Jennings 1970. In still other experiments the pulp appears to remain empty or is filled with cell debris and no further dentinogenesis is seen (Ivanyi 1965a, Weinreb et al 1968, Macedo-Sobrinho & Iranpour 1971, Riviere et al 1971, Atkinson 1975.…”

“…Tooth allografts exhibit similar changes to tooth autografts and isografts immediately after grafting, namely a degeneration of the cellular components of the graft (Shulman & Kalis 1970, Klein 1971. Again, degeneration appears to proceed from the cuspal cornua towards the cervix or apex (Fong & Agnew 1958, Ivanyi & Vacek 1964a, Fong et al 1968, Mincer & Jennings 1970, Atkinson 1975. Little has been recorded about the fate of the enamel organ in allografts although Ivanyi & Vacek (1964a) have claimed that it is still healthy 3 days after grafting whilst the dental papilla is degenerating.…”

“…Resorption of dentin has also been observed (Grewe & Felts 1968). This process may continue until all the original graft, with the exception of enamel, is removed (Fong et al 1968). It will be noted that many authors cited above have observed variations in the fate of tooth allografts in identical experimental situations, in many of which two inbred strains of animals have been used as donor and host to ensure accurate genetic relationships.…”

“…Inflammatory reactions around transplanted teeth have been observed many times. Those seen early after grafting probably correspond to nonspecific acute inflammatory reactions as a response to operative trauma (Ivanyi & Vacek 1964a, Fong et al 1968, Haley & Costich 1969, Klein 1971, Atkinson 1975. Later inflammatory episodes comprise mainly mononuclear leukocytes and thus correspond to the classic allograft reaction which commences 4 to 5 days post-operatively and reaches a peak shortly afterwards.…”

“…All variants seem to occur irrespective of age of the teeth. For example Ivanyi (1965a) observed all three variations in newborn rat teeth and renewal of dentinogenesis and fibrous replacement have been observed in fully developed monkey teeth (Fong & Agnew 1958, Fong et al 1968). Aplasia occurs predominantly in younger teeth which have not yet reached crown formation.…”