Abstract
In order to examine whether an immune reaction would take part in the process of physiologic root resorption of the deciduous teeth, changes in the titer of serum antibodies to dentin were measured in five young dogs with deciduous teeth, from the time prior to physiologic root resorption to exfoliation.
Dentinal components of the initially extracted deciduous teeth from each dog, as antigen, were prepared by immersing in 6M Guanidine HCl and EDTA solution. Serum samples and radiographs were taken from each dog from prior to the start of physiologic root resorption, and weekly thereafter. The process of physiologic root resorption and exfoliation of the deciduous teeth was confirmed by radiographic and oral examination. An ELISA was used to quantify antibody titers in the serum samples. The amount of specific IgG antibodies in any one serum sample was determined by comparison of the sample optical density with the background.
The titer of serum antibodies to the dentin changed during active root resorption. It tended to drop when physiologic root resorption started and active root resorption continued, and tended to return to baseline, the level of antibody titers prior to the beginning of physiologic root resorption, after all of the deciduous teeth were exfoliated. The results of this study suggest that specific immunological changes are involved during active root resorption, and the existence of circulating autoantibodies to the tooth root antigens in dogs suggests that immunological mechanisms may play a role in physiologic root resorption of the deciduous teeth.
