The purpose of the present study was to investigate histologically and histometrically the effect of periapical lesions on the state of periodontal lesions in rats.
Experimental animals were divided into Groups A, B, C, a, b and c. In all animals, a nylon thread was inserted into the interdental area between the right maxillary first and second molars (insertion side), whereas the interdental area of the left maxilla received no insertion (non-insertion side). Then, the animals of Groups A, B and C were killed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the nylon thread insertion, respectively. In Groups a, b and c, pulpal exposure was performed in both the right and left maxillary first molars, immediately after, 4 weeks after, and 8 weeks after the nylon insertion, respectively. The exposed area was left open. The animals of Groups a, b and c were killed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the nylon thread insertion, respectively. The interdental area between the right maxillary first and second molars, the periapical area of the distal root of the first molar, and the interradicular area of this root were examined histologically. Furthermore, the distance between the cementoenamel junc-tion and alveolar bone crest of the interdental area was measured histometrically.
Histological findings: In Groups A, B and C, the insertion sides showed slight periodontal lesions but no periapical changes, while the non-insertion sides exhibited no changes. In Group a, the insertion sides showed slight periodontal and periapical lesions, and inflammation and alveolar bone resorption in the interradicular area. In Groups b and c, the insertion sides exhibited moderate periodontal and periapical lesions, and inflammation and bone resorption in the interradicular area. In Groups a, b and c, the non-insertion sides showed periapical lesions but no periodontal changes.
Histometrical findings : On insertion sides, the distance between the cementoenamel junction and alveolar bone crest of the interdental area of Group a was the same as that of Group A, meanwhile the distance in Groups b and c was greater than that of Groups B and C, respectively.
The results of the present study suggest that periodontal lesions may develop when periapical lesions are present.
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