Abstract
With the aim of determining the influences of anti-tumor drugs used in the treatment of pediatric cancer on the teeth and periodontal tissues, vincristine sulfate (VCR) and cyclophosphamide (CPA)were injected intraperitoneally twice into rats, i. e., on the 11 th and 14 th days after birth. The following results were obtained on histopathological examination.
1. While the body weight increased in a similar manner in the VCR group and the control group, the body weight increase was less pronounced in the CPA group as compared to that in the control group.
2. There were no significant changes in the morphology of the dental corona of erupted teeth in either the VCR or the CPA group, and the morphology of this structure in the two groups was similar to that in the control group during the period of study.
3. There were no significant differences in dental root formation during the period of study between the VCR group and the control group. In the CPA group, impaired formation was first noted in the periapex area on the 19th day after birth. On the 54th day after birth, the dental root was found to be shorter in this group than in the control group, and formation of hard tissues resembling osteodentin was noted.
4. No significant differences in the periodontal tissues were noted between the VCR and the control groups. In the CPA group, inhibition of modeling of the alveolar bone was noted on the 19th day after birth, and on the 54th day after birth, disorders of expansion of the periodontal space and formation of alveolar bone were observed.
These findings indicate that while VCR has little effect on dental root formation and periodontal tissues at therapeutic concentrations, CPA inhibits the formation of the dental root and periodontal tissues in the early stages after administration, and furthermore, induces functional changes in the subsequent period.
