【Animal Modeling】-Miniature Pig Model of Spontaneous Periodontitis

  Spontaneous gingivitis is widespread in the oral cavity of miniature pigs. Because the gingival margin often retains a large amount of food residue after eating, the periodontal is not clean, it is easy to form plaque and calculus to become irritants of the gingival margin. Special pathogens in plaque are closely related to the occurrence of gingivitis. High saliva pH is conducive to calcium phosphate deposition and calculus formation, stimulates periodontal tissue, and promotes the occurrence and development of gum inflammation. Researchers inspected the Chinese experimental miniature pigs (the miniature pigs bred by China Agricultural University) to understand the incidence of spontaneous periodontitis. 20 miniature pigs were examined, including 11 females, 9 males, 8 aged 4-6 months, and 12 aged over 6 months.

  1. Inspection indicators: Miniature pigs are routinely anesthetized, and the gums, gingival sulcus depth, periodontal pockets and tooth looseness are observed with naked eyes. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed, teeth, gums and alveolar bone tissues were taken, fixed, demineralized, embedded, sectioned, and HE stained, and histopathological manifestations were observed under a light microscope.

  2. Inspection results The oral cavity of small pigs under 6 months of age is cleaner, and there is no or a small amount of tartar on the gum margin. The gums are light pink, with free gums and attached gums, the gingival sulcus is about 2 to 3 mm deep, there is a papilla between the two teeth, and the clinical crown is short. Most deciduous teeth and erupted young permanent molars of small pigs over 6 months of age suffer from gingivitis. The gingival margin and gingival papilla are obviously red and swollen. They are easy to bleed by rubbing hard, and the depth of the gingival sulcus does not change much. The number of gingivitis-affected teeth per pig varies, up to a dozen teeth. With the increase of age, the number and severity of diseased teeth also increase, and the posterior teeth are more serious than the front teeth. A large number of light yellow tartar can be seen on the gingival margin and in the gingival sulcus, some of which are black, with tartar and dental plaque attached to it. Gingivitis is common in the oral cavity of 16-month-old mini-pigs. Some deciduous molars and first molars have serious red and swollen gums, which are large in size and easy to bleed. The gingival sulcus is 4 to 5 mm deep, but the teeth are not loose.

  3. Pathological changes

  (1) Gingivitis: Most of the epithelium in the gingival sulcus or the bottom of the sulcus is infiltrated by inflammatory cells, which can spread to the connective tissue. The inflammatory cells include lymphocytes, plasma cells, and neutrophils. The epithelium in the groove proliferates into the connective tissue, and local epithelial disappearance and ulcers may appear. Vascular hyperplasia and hyperemia can be seen in the connective tissue below it, which is similar to human gingivitis.

  (2) Periodontitis: In the oral cavity of 16-month-old mini-pigs, severe periodontitis can be seen in individual teeth. The epithelium in the groove has large areas of inflammation, surface necrosis, ulcers, and can extend to the combined epithelium. Combined with the proliferation and extension of the epithelium to the root, the gingival pocket deepens, and bone resorption can be seen on the crest of the alveolar process, these changes are similar to the pathological manifestations of human periodontitis.