Hatfield, CG, Baumhammers, A. Cytotoxic Effects of Periodontally Involved Surfaces of Human Teeth. Arch. Oral Biol. 15:465, 1971.

Study aims:

• to demonstrate that the roots of periodontally involved teeth are damaged by perio disease and if this is so how this might help us understand reattachment difficulties.

Methods:

• four normal and five periodontally involved teeth extracted and the roots placed on monolayers of epithelial cells, at 24, 48, 72, 96 hours; the remaining involved root surface was wrapped in cellulose and incubated for 96 hr. These were then stained (haematoxylin-eosin) and examined under the microscope

Findings:

• the root surfaces of the perio teeth did not show mitotic figures as did normal and displayed irreversible change such as vacuolization and clumping of chromatin. The wrapped cellulose involved teeth showed no changes as do the controls.
• this degenerative process is associated with involved roots only and is suggestive of a toxic factor or factors.

Back: Cementum Articles
Menu: Literature Review Topics
Home: PIC Homepage