Abstract
Recently we 1 have shown that regeneration of the peridental membrane takes place in the guinea pig and rabbit following artificial destruction of this tissue. The sequence of events leading up to this repair was outlined. Injury had been induced by passing a dental bur through the alveolar process across the peridental membrane and into the upper incisor tooth on its lingual surface. Thus, the peridental fibres were severed at this point. The rodent was chosen for that work since it has continuously growing teeth with the result that uninjured tooth surface will move forward to a position opposite to the site of injury to the alveolar bone. Thus repair may be followed more easily by microscopic technique.
A similar series of experiments then was performed upon cats. This was done in order to learn whether a like sequence of repair may be demonstrated in an experimental animal still higher in scale and in which the tooth is stationary. The animals were 4 or 5 months old and had received the usual animal house diet. The operation was performed by Dr. F. V. Simonton of the College of Dentistry of this university and his cooperation is thus acknowledged.
Following the operation, the animals were killed with chloroform as follows: 10 days, and 7, 8, 13, 17, and 20 weeks. The experimental tissues were then dissected out and sections cut according to the method outlined by one of us (A. W.). 2
Examination of the sections made shows a picture closely similar to that found in rodent tissue. In certain of our animals killed at the close of the 7 and 8 week periods, it was evident that infection had developed. This had resulted in destruction of tissue adjacent to the site of the cut and both hard and soft tissues had been involved.
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