IADR Abstract Archives
Function Guided Structure of the Periodontal Ligament 3d Collagenous Network
Objectives: To elucidate the 3D fibrous structure of the PDL and follow the organizational changes throughout different developmental and functional stages.
Methods: Using a humidified chamber with motorized loading apparatus inside a microCT, combined with 2nd harmonic generation imaging, we were able to visualize the 3D fibrous structure of a fresh, unstained and unsectioned PDL at different developmental and functional stages. A MATLAB and AVIZO based semi-automatic algorithm enabled us to objectively quantify the distribution and 3D organization of the PDL fibrous network in mouse molars.
Results: We demonstrated that the fibrous network is not uniformly distributed, but is organized in dense and sparse networks. We show that the furcation area, where the roots split from the crown and which sustains compressive loads, consists of a sparse collagenous network. This unique sparse organization of the fibers is seen in the furcation area even before tooth eruption or function. Other areas are structured dense networks that remain as such throughout the different functional stages. A transition from a dense to a sparse network occurs in the middle portion of the roots, at the buccal aspects, throughout the different functional stages as compression loads in these areas become more established.
Conclusions:
We therefore conclude that the PDL collagenous component is a function driven structure. The furcation area is a preprogrammed compression designated structure. It is populated with a network of sparse fibers before tooth eruption and remains as such. Other areas that are not pre-programmed to sustain compressive forces are versatile in their fibrous distribution. They contain dense networks that might transform to sparse networks according to the load regime.
Methods: Using a humidified chamber with motorized loading apparatus inside a microCT, combined with 2nd harmonic generation imaging, we were able to visualize the 3D fibrous structure of a fresh, unstained and unsectioned PDL at different developmental and functional stages. A MATLAB and AVIZO based semi-automatic algorithm enabled us to objectively quantify the distribution and 3D organization of the PDL fibrous network in mouse molars.
Results: We demonstrated that the fibrous network is not uniformly distributed, but is organized in dense and sparse networks. We show that the furcation area, where the roots split from the crown and which sustains compressive loads, consists of a sparse collagenous network. This unique sparse organization of the fibers is seen in the furcation area even before tooth eruption or function. Other areas are structured dense networks that remain as such throughout the different functional stages. A transition from a dense to a sparse network occurs in the middle portion of the roots, at the buccal aspects, throughout the different functional stages as compression loads in these areas become more established.
Conclusions:
We therefore conclude that the PDL collagenous component is a function driven structure. The furcation area is a preprogrammed compression designated structure. It is populated with a network of sparse fibers before tooth eruption and remains as such. Other areas that are not pre-programmed to sustain compressive forces are versatile in their fibrous distribution. They contain dense networks that might transform to sparse networks according to the load regime.