SOME AGE CHANGES IN THE PERIODONTIUM OF THE ALBINO MOUSE

¹ Ziskin Memorial Research Laboratory, Department of Oral Pathology and Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Mass.

The microscopic features of the periodontium of the albino mouse at various age levels from 5 weeks to 16 months have been described.

The molars of the albino mouse continued to erupt in a bucco-occlusal direction after initial contact was made with functional antagonists. The tendency to accommodate bucco-occlusal eruption of the teeth was of greater consequence than the functional forces in determining the structure and activity of the tissues of the periodontium.

The gingival epithelium migrated along the root with increasing age. However, because of the prevalence of gingival inflammation, it was not possible to determine whether, or to what degree, the initial tendency toward epithelial migration was attributable to aging or stimulation from local irritation. Periodontal pocket formation and associated resorption of underlying bone appeared to be pathologic phenomena rather than physiologic features of aging.