HISTOMORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF AGE-RELATED-CHANGES IN REMODELING ACTIVITYOF HUMAN DESMODONTAL BONE

To study age-related changes in human desmodontal bone remodelling, hi stological specimens were prepared from 42 human mandibles from indivi duals aged between 16 and 71 years which were obtained from autopsies. Microradiographs of horizontal ground sections and the corresponding undecalcified histological sections stained with Goldner trichrome wer e used for analysis. Histomorphometric measurements of static bone rem odelling were performed along the desmodontal bone surface using a com puter assisted semiautomatic measurement system. External influences f rom the individual dental occlusion and periodontal conditions were su perimposed on age changes. A modest but significant age-dependent decr ease in the surface extent of osteoid seams covered by 'active' osteob lasts was found. In addition, the number of osteoclasts per unit of re sorptive bone surface diminished, leading to an increase in Howship's lacunae, devoid of osteoclasts. Both phenomena were interpreted as bei ng due to a decrease in active bone forming capacity with age.