A Histochemical Study of the periodontal Ligament Fibers in Trauma from Occlusion

실험적 외상성교합시 치근막섬유의 조직화학적 관찰

Occlusal force is a critical factor affecting the condition and structure of the periodontium. When the occlusal forces exceed the physiologic adaptive capacity of the tissues, tissue damage ensues. Such damage is referred to as trauma from occlusion. Excessive pressure causes compression, degeneration and realignment of the periodontal ligament fibers so that they are paralleled perpendicular to the tooth and bone. By inducing excessive occlusal forces with a high amalgam filling on rat's molar, the author observed histologic alterations of the periodontal ligament fibers by means of Hematoxylin-eosin, Van Gieson and Aldenyde fuchsin stainings. The results of the study were observed as follows: 1) The excessive occlusal forces altered arrangement of the collagenous fibers. 2) The arrangement of the oblique fibers showed appreciable differences between the control group and the group subjected to 10 days experimental trauma from occlusion. 3) The realignment of the transseptal fibers was not found. 4) The arrangement of the oblique fibers after 15 days of trauma from occusion was similar to that of 10 days experimental group. 5) The oxytalan fibers were more abundant at the cementum rather than at the alveolar bone. 6) The excessive occlusal forces produced funnel-shaped widening of the oxytalan fibers, which followed wavy course. 7) The oxytalan fibers appeared to be distributed mainly around the middle third of the root rather than that of the apical third of the root during the experimental trauma from occlusion.