A Histologic and Cephalometric Investigation of Premolar Intrusion in the Macaque Speciosa Monkey

Abstract

It has been debated as to whether teeth may actually be intruded in their alveoli. This study was designed to measure the intrusive movement and histologic response of specific teeth to a known intrusive force. Four Macaque speciosa monkeys were used. The animals corresponded in age to a 12-14 year old human being. Intrusive forces of either 10, 50, 100, or 300 grams were placed on the maxillary first premolars; each force value was held constant during the duration of the experiment, which was 60 days. Maxillary first molars were used as anchorage. Cephalometric headplates proved that all force values were capable of giving intrusion. The 50 gram forces, however, gave the most efficient intrusion. Histologic sections were made on all experimental teeth. 300 and 100 gram forces gave excessive root resorption but the 50 and 10 gram force values elicited only slight root resorption. Root resorption seemed to be directly related to excessive force. The amount of intrusion was not related to a loss of root structure. Bone resorption appeared to allow the intrusion of teeth with minimal tissue damage if proper force values were used.