Mechanical Properties of the Periodontal Ligament in the Incisor Teeth of Rats from 6 to 24 Months of Age

Abstract

Mechanical properties of the periodontal ligament of the incisor have been examined in sections of the mandibles of rats from 6 to 24 months of age. Mechanical measures estimated from the load-deformation and stress-strain curves did not show age-related changes, although the body and mandible weights increased gradually during the experimental period. It is suggested that qualitative and quantitative changes in the supporting tissues/unit area of the ligament are minor at a restricted region examined.

Mechanical Strength and Viscoelastic Response of the Periodontal Ligament in Relation to Structure

“…In order to elucidate the tooth support mechanisms, Chiba's group systematically investigated the effects, on the mechanical properties of the PDL, of various experimental factors [4] such as periodontal disease [10, 22], hypofunction [18, 35, 36], orthodontic forces [37–39], treatment with inhibitors (lathyrogens) of collagen cross-linking and an inhibitor (hydrocortisone) of collagen degradation or turnover [8, 40–43], age [7, 17, 20, 44, 45], and root levels [19, 21]. They found that the mechanical properties were sensitive to both experimental alterations and to differences in the content, direction, and organisation of the collagen fibre components of the PDL.…”

Age-related and regional differences in the stress–strain and stress–relaxation behaviours of the rat incisor periodontal ligament

“…Age-related changes in the stress-strain curves of the periodontal ligament (PDL) have not been demonstrated at the middle region of continuously erupting incisors of growing young rats from 3 weeks to 24 months of age (Yamane, 1990;Yamane et al, 1990). However, regional differences in the mechanical properties of the PDL have clearly been shown in continuously erupting incisors of mice, rats, hamsters, and rabbits Komatsu et al, 1998).…”