Role of Animal Models in Periodontal Research - A Review

Abstract

Periodontal diseases require treatment at an early stage to prevent further damage and aggravation of the disease. The most commonly seen periodontal diseases are gingivitis and periodontitis. Animals have contributed a major role in studying the different periodontal diseases and providing a proper treatment. Periodontal diseases are either induced in these experimental animal models or can be seen naturally. Different drugs are tested on the animals induced by the disease to find the most effective treatment for that particular disease. Different animals such as mice, rats, pigs, rabbits, hamsters, and rodents are used for the periodontal research. Different animals show a different reaction while some animals show no reaction. Each animal has its own advantages and disadvantages. The use of large animals brings a limitation in the due to its housing difficulties. Animals for periodontal research are chosen depending on their similarity with that of human anatomy and physiology. The use of these animals will help to replicate the disease seen in humans in a better and more accurate way. This will improve the treatment outcome and the prognosis of the disease. The drugs used can, hence, give a better idea about the effect it would have on the human body depending on the effects it shows on the animal models. Hence, the use of appropriate animals for the periodontal research is important to design a better treatment for these diseases. Hence, animal models play an important role in the periodontal research.

A Reappraisal of Various Animal Models used in Periodontology with Future Perspectives and Alternatives

“…This is due to the fact that monkeys share a common ancestor with humans. Rhesus monkeys, cynomolgus monkeys, and baboons are the species that have been shown to suffer from periodontal disease as a result of natural causes [32,33]. There are certain non-human ape species that display signs of periodontal disease when they reach adulthood [32,34].…”

“…Rhesus monkeys, cynomolgus monkeys, and baboons are the species that have been shown to suffer from periodontal disease as a result of natural causes [32,33]. There are certain non-human ape species that display signs of periodontal disease when they reach adulthood [32,34]. The ligatures and orthodontic elastics were affixed to the surface of the tooth in order to speed up the progression of periodontitis [32].…”

“…There are certain non-human ape species that display signs of periodontal disease when they reach adulthood [32,34]. The ligatures and orthodontic elastics were affixed to the surface of the tooth in order to speed up the progression of periodontitis [32]. This was done in order to increase the amount of plaque that accumulated.…”

“…This was done in order to increase the amount of plaque that accumulated. Every one to two weeks, the ligatures are switched out based on the forms of the pockets [32].…”

“…Depending on the kind of bacteria, significant crater-like bone abnormalities might arise six to eight weeks after infection. In the absence of a cellmediated immune response, the damaging process in reaction to GNB may occur [32,51].…”