Histological investigation of physiologically resorbing primary teeth using Ag-NOR staining method.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate pulpal tissue of primary teeth in early and late stages of physiological resorption by means of silver-binding nucleolar organizer region (Ag-NOR) staining.


METHODS
Ten primary teeth in early, ten in the late stage of resorption and five sound premolar teeth pulps as the control group were investigated by means of silver-binding nucleolar organizer region (Ag-NOR) staining.


RESULTS
The mean number of Ag-NOR's per nucleus increased with the continuing of the resorption process. The difference in the mean number of Ag-NORs was statistically significant both in the early and late stage of resorption compared with controls (P > 0.001). In the early stage of resorption calcific plates in the apical part of the pulps were observed. Odontoclasts, as well as inflammatory cells, were observed in the late stages of resorption.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in the mean number of Ag-NORs per nucleus with the progression of the resorption process in primary teeth suggests that metabolic cell activity in the early stages of resorption is enhanced and increased with the continuing of the process, thus showing the importance of the pulp tissue in the resorption process.
Eronat
Cemal
C
Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Ege University, Bornova-Izmir, Turkey 35100. eronat@dishekimligi.ege.edu.tr
Eronat
Nesrin
N
Aktug
Mecla
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000473:pathology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000473:pathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016622:Silver Staining; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014080:Tooth Exfoliation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D004396:Coloring Agents; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D002118:Calcium