An animal model of intrinsic dental erosion caused by gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the association between dental erosion and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), we used an animal model of GORD.


METHODS
We performed an operation to force gastro-duodenal contents reflux in male Wistar rats, and examined the teeth in the reflux rats at 15 or 30 weeks postoperatively. Dental erosion was evaluated based on a slightly modified index from a previous report. Estimation of pH was employed in the oesophageal and gastric contents.


RESULTS
Macroscopically, dental erosion was only detected in the reflux rats. Histopathologically, dentin exposure was detected in three of the seven cases after 30 weeks. Alveolar bone destruction and osteomyelitis were also noted in severe cases. The pH of the oesophageal and stomach contents was 6.93 +/- 0.15 and 3.7 +/- 0.39, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
We confirmed the relationship between dental erosion and GORD. First step of dental erosion caused by GORD is the loss of surface enamel induced by regurgitation of an acidic liquid and acidic gas. Subsequently, further destruction of dental hard tissues and tooth supporting structure is accelerated by mixed juice with gastric and duodenal contents. The reflux animal model is a useful tool to examine the mechanism of dental erosion in GORD.
Higo
T
T
Department of Pathology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan.
Mukaisho
K
K
Ling
Z-Q
ZQ
Oue
K
K
Chen
K-H
KH
Araki
Y
Y
Sugihara
H
H
Yamamoto
G
G
Hattori
T
T
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology*