Angela R. C. Pack

A histometric evaluation of alveolar trabecular bone density in the jaws of protein-deficient rats

Abstract Seventy male Wistar rats were equally divided into control and experimental groups fed on powdered diets containing 21.7 and 7.6 per cent protein, respectively. Five control and 5 experimental animals were killed at 4-weekly intervals for 4 months and then after 6, 9 and 12 months. Study of demineralized sections with a modified Chalkley point graticule allowed histometric assessment of the density of alveolar trabecular bone in the upper and lower molar areas. The protein deficiency resulted in a highly-significant reduction (p

Lower incisor tooth development studied in protein-deficient rats with intravital labelling techniques

Seventy male rats were divided equally into control and experimental groups at weaning, and fed on diets containing 21.7 and 7.6 per cent protein respectively. Animals received injections of oxytetracycline hydrochloride and D.C.A.F. (2,4,bis)N,N′dicarboxyl methyl (amino methyl fluorescein) 2 and 1 weeks respectively before being killed. Five control and five experimental animals were killed after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months. The left halfmandible was embedded in acrylic and 100-μm serial transverse sections of the lower incisor tooth studied by fluorescent microscopy and photographed. Measurements between the labels taken from a constant reference point on standardized photographic enlargements recorded dentine growth during the week between injections. No statistically-significant difference between control and experimental incisor tooth growth was apparent (0.1 <p < 0.2). Correlation between dentine production and weight of animals was very low and the incisor tooth growth was not significantly affected by protein deficiency.

Age, gender, oestrogen therapy and dentition replacement

An increasing number of older people are retaining their teeth in the UK. Edentulism is gradually declining and will increasingly become a feature of social deprivation. This review covers the processes of ageing in teeth, the peridontium, the oral mucosa, muscles of mastication, salivary glands and taste. Diseases of the oral mucosa, in particular cancer, are examined. Tooth decay and peridontal disease are discussed. The relationship between systemic health and oral health status are becoming increasingly important. The effect of diet and tobacco smoking are explored. Finally, the association between peridontal disease and osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, venous thromboembolism are discussed.