Objective: To establish the permanent tooth germ missing animal model for future research on the root resorption of deciduous tooth in the absence of permanent tooth germ.
Methods: The permanent tooth germ missing animal model was established by surgical removal of the permanent tooth buds in a male 11-week-old Beagle dog. Root resorption of the deciduous teeth without permanent successors was observed by taking periapical films periodically,and compared with physiological root resorption. Once the sign of root resorption of the deciduous teeth without permanent successors was detected on radiographic films, the animal was sacrificed and the mandibular bone was collected for histological study.
Results: Root resorption of the deciduous teeth with the presence of permanent tooth germ started at 20 weeks after birth, while root resorption of deciduous teeth without permanent tooth germ started 26-27 weeks which was significantly delayed. Histological studies showed that a large number of multinucleated giant cells were present on the pulpal surface of the root, while only few of them were seen on the outer surface.
Conclusion: The permanent tooth germ missing animal model was successfully established in this study which simulated the case of congenital absence of permanent tooth germ in human. Root resorption of deciduous tooth without permanent tooth germ was significantly delayed than the deciduous tooth with permanent tooth germ.