Molecular and Structural Assessment of Alveolar Bone During Tooth Eruption and Function in the Miniature Pig, Sus Scrofa

Abstract

SummaryThe development of alveolar bone adjacent to the tooth root during tooth eruption is not well understood. This study tested the hypothesis that predominantly woven bone forms adjacent to tooth roots during tooth eruption, but that this immature structure transitions to lamellar bone when the tooth comes into function. Additionally, bone resorption was predicted to play a key role in transitioning immature bone to more mature, load-bearing tissue. Miniature pigs were compared at two occlusal stages, 13 weeks (n=3), corresponding with the mucosal penetration stage of M 1 tooth eruption, and 23 weeks (n=3), corresponding with early occlusion of M 1 /M 1 . Bone samples for RNA extraction and qRT-PCR analysis were harvested from the diastema and adjacent to M 1 roots on one side. Following euthanasia, bone samples for hematoxylin and eosin and TRAP staining were harvested from these regions on the other side. In contrast to expectations, both erupting and functioning molars had reticular fibrolamellar structure in alveolar bone adjacent to M 1 . However, the woven bone matrix in older pigs was thicker and had denser primary osteons. Gene expression data and osteoclast cell counts showed a tendency for more bone resorptive activity near the molars than at distant sites, but no differences between eruptive stages. Thus, although resorption does occur, it is not a primary mechanism in the transition in alveolar bone from eruption to function. Incremental growth of existing woven bone and filling in of primary osteons within the mineralized scaffold generated the fortification necessary to support an erupted and functioning tooth.

Proteomic analysis of human dental cementum and alveolar bone

“…Hanford miniature pigs were employed to harvest first mandibular molar tissues at 13–16 weeks of age, as described previously [13], and approved by University of Washington IACUC. Deidentified human teeth used in this study were extracted for orthodontic reasons.…”

“…Briefly, mouse mandibles were removed and fixed in Bouin’s solution for 24 h and decalcified AFS solution (acetic acid, formalin, and sodium chloride) at 4°C. Pig molars were decalcified sequentially in 8% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and then 25% formic acid, as previously described [13]. Human teeth were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and decalcified in 20% EDTA at 4 °C for approximately 5 weeks.…”

Current Perspectives on Tooth Implantation, Attachment, and Replacement in Amniota

“…The primary structure of the alveolar bone is woven-fibered in both mammals and crocodilians ( Caldwell et al, 2003 ; Budney et al, 2006 ). The alveolar bone remains woven fibered throughout life in crocodilians, whereas it is remodeled to lamellar bone in mammals when tooth replacement stops ( Yeh and Popowics, 2011 ; LeBlanc and Reisz, 2013 ). Alveolar bone provides the attachment site for Sharpey fibers.…”

Microanatomical Variation of the Nasal Capsular Cartilage in Newborn Primates

“…To better understand pneumatization as a growth mechanism, longitudinal radiographic analyses (e.g., Shah et al, 2003) and mathematical modeling (e.g., Zollikofer and Weissman, 2008) have been used. Using microanatomical methods, some authors have sought to understand cellular attributes of sinus mucosa (Sato et al, 1998; Wojtowicz et al, 2002) or the wall of sinuses and recesses (Smith et al, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011).…”