Background and objective
Though impacts of traumatic occlusion (TO) on periodontal tissues and roles of cystathionine γ‐lyase (Cth) gene in the regulation of bone homeostasis have been studied by many, no consensus has been reached so far on whether TO deteriorates the periodontium and precise roles of Cth in occlusal trauma. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impacts of TO on periodontal tissues and the involvement of Cth gene.
Methods
Eighty C57BL/6 wild‐type (WT) mice and Cth knockout (Cth−/−) mice, 8 weeks old, were used in this study. The TO model was established using composite resin bonding on the left maxillary molar for one, two, and three weeks, respectively. Morphological and histological changes in the periodontium were assessed by micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Osteoclast‐related genes were analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
Results
It was found that decreased alveolar bone height, expanded bone resorption area, and increased width of periodontal ligament (PDL) occurred in TO models, accompanied by an increased number of osteoclasts in a time‐dependent manner by micro‐CT and histological staining. Osteoclast‐related genes including Ctsk, Mmp9, Rank, Trap, and Rankl/Opg were also up‐regulated after one week of modeling. The up‐regulated expressions of Cth gene and its protein CTH were observed in TO mouse models. After 1, 2, or 3 weeks of modeling, WT mice showed more severe alveolar bone resorption, wider PDL, higher osteoclast count, and higher levels of osteoclast‐related genes Ctsk, Rank, and Rankl/Opg than Cth−/− mice.
Conclusion
TO causes a reduction in alveolar bone height and PDL morphological disorder with their severity increases in a time‐dependent manner. Cth aggravates periodontal damage caused by TO.