Effects of Indomethacin on the physiologic root resorption of deciduous teeth in dogs

Shin, Kang Seob; Kang, Yoon Goo; Lee, Ki Soo

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of indomethacin on physiologic root resorption and to examine the dental pulp and tissue changes around the resorbing teeth. 13-14 week old six mongrel dogs were divided into 3 groups; two experimental groups administered indomethacin 2 mg/kg/day and 8 mg/kg/day orally two times a day for 14 days respectively, and control group administered a placebo. The deciduous incisors showing root resorption were selected, fixed for 24 hrs in 10% formalin solution, demineralized in 10% EDTA solution, invested in paraffin and sectioned in 5 micrometer thick sections. The preparations were stained with H and E staining and Masson's trichrome staining and examined under the light microscope. Observation revealed that deciduous root resorbing tissue resembles inflammatory tissue and accompanies bone remodelling. The dental pulp was normal except the area near root resorption, well organized columnar odontoblasts layer under the predentin, and the odontoblasts near root resorption were cuboidal or flat cells in the disrupted layer under the predentin. Indomethacin administered group showed a partial decrease in the number of odontoclasts and nucleus. But there was no sign of pulp change by indomethacin. These results suggest that indomethacin inhibits recruitment of odontoclasts partially and that of osteoclasts more, and so when it is administered for long periods, deciduous root resorption can be delayed and eruption of the successor can be delayed for a short period.