Pr. Wesselink et W. Beertsen, THE PREVALENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF RESTS OF MALASSEZ IN THE MOUSE MOLAR AND THEIR POSSIBLE ROLE IN REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERIODONTAL-LIGAMENT, Archives of oral biology, 38(5), 1993, pp. 399-403
This study sought to determine the prevalence and distribution of thes
e rests under normal conditions and after giving 1-hydroxyethylidene-1
, 1-bisphosphonate (HEBP), a drug that interferes with homeostasis in
the periodontal ligament. Normally the rests of Malassez were equally
distributed on all root aspects with the exception of the mesial of th
e mesial root of the first mandibular molar. With increasing age their
number decreased. A similar distribution was seen in the animals trea
ted with the bisphosphonate, in which there was a severe reduction in
width of the periodontal ligament, at several sites resulting in ankyl
osis. After discontinuing HEBP the normal width of the periodontal lig
ament space was restored. Repair was characterized by root resorption,
elimination of ankylosis, cementum formation and regeneration of liga
ment. These processes seemed to have no connection with the prevalence
and distribution of rests of Malassez. It is concluded that rests of
Malassez are unlikely to play an important part in the homeostasis of
periodontal ligament and do not seem to be a prerequisite for its repa
ir and maintenance.