Functional cues in the development of osseous tooth support in the pig, Sus scrofa

• Published in: Journal of biomechanics Vol. 42; no. 12; pp. 1961 - 1966
• Main Authors: Popowics, T, Yeh, K, Rafferty, K, Herring, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 25.08.2009; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Alveolar bone; Alveolar Process - growth & development; Alveolar Process - physiology; Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone Development; Load; Mandible; Microstrain; Oral hygiene; Periodontium; Personal relationships; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Standard deviation; Stress, Mechanical; Studies; Sus scrofa; Swine; Teeth; Tooth Eruption - physiology; Periodontium; Microstrain; Alveolar bone
• ISSN: 0021-9290; 1873-2380
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.05.016

Abstract Alveolar bone supports teeth during chewing through a ligamentous interface with tooth roots. Although tooth loads are presumed to direct the development and adaptation of these tissues, strain distribution in the alveolar bone at different stages of tooth eruption and periodontal development is unknown. This study investigates the biomechanical effects of tooth loading on developing alveolar bone as a tooth erupts into occlusion. Mandibular segments from miniature pigs, Sus scrofa , containing M1 either erupting or in functional occlusion, were loaded in compression. Simultaneous recordings were made from rosette strain gages affixed to the lingual alveolar bone and the M2 crypt. Overall, specimens with erupting M1 s were more deformable than specimens with occluding M1 s (mean stiffness of 246 vs. 944 MPa, respectively, p =0.004). The major difference in alveolar strain between the two stages was in orientation. The vertically applied compressive loads were more directly reflected in the alveolar bone strains of erupting M1 s, than those of occluding M1 s, presumably because of the mediation of a more mature periodontal ligament (PDL) in the latter. The PDL interface between occluding teeth and alveolar bone is likely to stiffen the system, allowing transmission of occlusal loads. Alveolar strains may provide a stimulus for bone growth in the alveolar process and crest.