Inducing Apical Periodontitis in Mice

Elisheva Goldman; Eli Reich; Itzhak Abramovitz; Michael Klutstein

doi:10.3791/59521

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Biology

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JoVE Journal Biology

Inducing Apical Periodontitis in Mice

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10:26 min

August 6, 2019

DOI: 10.3791/59521-v

Elisheva Goldman^1,2, Eli Reich¹, Itzhak Abramovitz*², Michael Klutstein*¹

¹Institute of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Medicine,Hebrew University of Jerusalem, ²Department of Endodontics,Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center

Overview

This study presents a novel protocol for locally inducing apical periodontitis in mice, facilitating controlled investigation of periapical inflammation. The method involves drilling the mouse's tooth to expose pulp and offers various analysis techniques, including micro-CT and histology.

Key Study Components

Research Area

Apical periodontitis
Inflammatory response
Dental pathology

Background

Mouse models are advantageous for dental research.
This protocol provides a cost-effective approach.
Procedure visualization enhances technique understanding.

Methods Used

Drilling and pulp exposure technique
Mice as the biological system
Micro-CT and histological analysis

Main Results

Successful induction of apical periodontitis demonstrated.
Significant inflammation observed post-procedure.
Protocols validated for accuracy in results.

Conclusions

The study effectively demonstrates a method for studying dental inflammation in a mouse model.
Findings have implications for understanding periapical diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is apical periodontitis?

Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the dental pulp and surrounding tissues, typically caused by infection.

Why use mice in this study?

Mice provide an accessible and controlled model for studying complex dental diseases.

What are the main advantages of this protocol?

It is cost-effective, technically simple, and allows for controlled observation of periapical inflammation.

What analysis methods are used?

Micro-CT imaging and histology are utilized to assess inflammation and tissue structure.

How is the protocol validated?

Validation is achieved through consistent observations of induced inflammation and tissue responses.

Can this method be applied to other studies?

Yes, it can be adapted for various dental and pulpal research projects.

What long-term effects are monitored post-procedure?

Animal weight and behavior are monitored for 42 days following the procedure.

Here, we present a protocol to locally induce apical periodontitis in mice. We show how to drill a hole in the mouse's tooth and expose its pulp, in order to cause local inflammation. Analysis methods to investigate the nature of this inflammation, such as micro-CT and histology, are also demonstrated.

Our protocol enables the study of periapical periodontitis in an accessible and controlled mouse model. Therefore, this protocol has advantages over patient samples or in-vitro models. The main advantages of this technique are that the mouse has been well studied and that the method is technically simple in terms of facility requirements and is cost effective.

As this procedure is challenging due to the small dimensions of the teeth, it is beneficial to visualize the procedure to learn about the positioning and performance of the technique. After confirming a lack of response to toe pinch, place the mouse on the dominant hand side on a closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam surface and secure the paws with tape. Using a single rubber band per pair of incisors, and long needles pined to the closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam surface, prop the mouth open.

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