ROLE OF THE DENTAL PAPILLA IN EARLY TOOTH FORMATION

PART 1—ROENTGENOGRAPHIC STUDY

¹ Department of Anatomy, College of Physicians and Surgeons and Division of Oral Histology, School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University

1. Roentgenograms of the jaws of young cats from which the dental papilla of a developing permanent canine has been removed unilaterally show evidence of a greatly reduced rate of growth of the operated tooth as compared with the control of the opposite side.

2. Close examination of the operated area seems to indicate a rather dense bony formation at the apical region extending somewhat into the area formerly occupied by the papilla, while further within this area soft tissue appears to be present.

3. Resorption of the enamel of the operated side is indicated by an irregularity and a lack of sharpness in detail as contrasted with the control canine of the other side.

These initial observations are limited to roentgenographic examination of the jaws of 2 experimental animals. A histological study in these cases and in additional animals is in progress, In a report of the microscopic findings we are interested in possible effects on the enamel, on calcification, on the dentin, the cementum, and the peridental membrane.