Effect of experimental traumatic occlusion on periapical lesions in rats

Objectives: To study the effect of experimental unilateral traumatic occlusion on the periapical lesions after pulpal exposure in rats. Methods: Sixty Wister rats were divided equally into group A to D. Rats in group A received no treatment. Rats in group B received experimental periapical periodontitis. Experimental traumatic occlusion was given to rats in group C and rats in group D received treatments of both experimental periapical periodontitis and experimental traumatic occlusion . On the first,second and fourth day after experiment some rats were killed respectively and their histological and histometrical changes were investigated . Results: In group B serious pulpitis and the resorption of the alveolar bone was found. Group C rats displayed the compression of the periapical ligament and the alveolar bone resorpsion . The compression of the periapical ligament was more severe in group D than in group B ,but the inflammation of the periapical lesoins was less in group D than in group B. Conclusions: Traumatic occlusion delayed the enlargement of the experimental periapical lesions.