Age-related changes of fibroblast density in the human periodontal ligament

Abstract

ObjectiveRecently, research has focused intensely on age-related tissue changes, not only in the field of dermatology but also in dental sciences. Although many new insights into age-related morphological, ultrastructural and biochemical changes in the periodontal ligament tissue have been gained, the basic question of whether there is a quantitative change in cell number remains unanswered or, at least to date, unpublished. Thus, the aim of this study was to detect age-related changes of the periodontal ligament regarding fibroblast density.Material and methods33 lateral tooth-bearing segments of the maxilla were obtained from deceased human individuals of different age, ranging from 7 to 63 years. The buccal segment of the periodontal ligament of the mesiobuccal root of the first maxillary molar was evaluated histomorphometrically to obtain the fibroblast density.ResultsThe results clearly indicate a steady and statistically significant decline of fibroblast number with age.ConclusionIt may be concluded that fibroblast density in the physiological human periodontal ligament tissue decreases with age, thus causing an initial delay in physiological, pathological or externally induced processes that require remodeling of the periodontal ligament, e.g. traumatic occlusion or orthodontic tooth movement. It may be assumed that an orthodontic tooth movement in elderly patients requires more time in the initial treatment phase and should be done with lighter forces.

Mechanoadaptive Responses in the Periodontium Are Coordinated by Wnt

“…The clinical literature is replete with examples of how tissues adapt to physical forces. In the craniomaxillofacial skeleton, tooth loss predictably leads to alveolar bone atrophy (Canger and Celenk 2012) and a thinning of the periodontal ligament (PDL; Denes et al 2013;Krieger et al 2013). Conversely, hyperloading of the dentition causes a thickening of the PDL (Mortazavi and Baharvand 2016) and alveolar bone accrual (Carlsson 2004).…”

The molecular and cellular effects of ageing on the periodontal ligament

“…, Van der Velden , Krieger et al. ). In this study we found no differences in cell density over the mice's lifespan.…”

“…Current knowledge on the effects of ageing on the periodontium is largely based on in vitro studies that evaluate primary cell cultures from donors of different ages, or compare cells from lower versus higher passage numbers or young versus old cell culture media (Krieger et al. ). These analyses do not clearly indicate how chronological age affects the remodelling and repair of the periodontium in a living animal.…”

Treatment of Pulpectomized Teeth With Trypsin Prior to Transplantation of Mobilized Dental Pulp Stem Cells Enhances Pulp Regeneration in Aged Dogs

“…With an increasingly aging population, a better understanding of the age-related changes in resident stem cell function and microenvironment is critical in developing and optimizing rejuvenation strategies to reverse the aging process for effective therapeutic treatment (Gibon et al, 2016). Aged teeth are characterized by a decrease in the regeneration of dental pulp (Iohara et al, 2014), stenosis and fibrosis of the periodontal ligament (Krieger et al, 2013), widening of the cementum, and constriction of the apical region (Jang et al, 2014), affecting resident stem cell function and the homeostasis of the tooth and associated tissue. Resident cells in the tissue surrounding the aged tooth have lower potential of migration, proliferation, and cell survival (Iohara et al, 2014).…”