Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine microscopically and ultrastructurally the process of wound repair in intentionally replanted rat incisors. Three to five days after replantation, the proliferation of granulation tissue and revascularization were observed in wounded periodontium. Immature cells and fibroblasts with abundant rough endoplasmic reticulums were observed perivascularly in the wounded zone, which suggests the possibility that perivascular cells may differentiate to fibroblasts. The abundant production and resorption of collagen fibers was also observed. Vascular proliferation was important for the formation of bone-like tissue in the wounded zone. The connection between the teeth and alveolar bone (ankylosis) may have resulted from the stratification of bone-like tissue on the surface of the resorbed dentin and from the replacement of the necrotic area of the periodontium by bone-like tissue. The alveolar side of the periodontium demonstrated the potential formation of endosteum bone marrow, which was not seen on the cementum side of the periodontium. The width of the periodontal space after replantation may affect the prognosis of replantation.
