Change in trigeminal mesencephalic neurons after teeth extraction in guinea pig

Abstract

Trigeminal mesencephalic (Mes V) neurons innervating the periodontal mechanoreceptor (PMR) are known to play an important role in controlling the bite force and jaw-movements during mastication. After teeth loss, the PMR disappears due to loss of the periodontal membrane. The present work is a study on whether cell death is induced in the Mes V neurons in association with teeth loss. The upper and lower incisors were extracted on the right side in 5 guinea pigs (extraction group) and the other 5 guinea pigs were kept intact (control group). In the extraction group, the animals were kept alive for 58-119 days after teeth extraction. Serial coronal sections (50 microns thick) were made of the midbrain and pons and stained with cresyl violet. The Mes V neurons were counted on every other section. In the caudal half of the Mes V nucleus, where the neurons innervating the PMR are reported to be located, the number of neurons was less on the right side than on the left side (P < 0.01) in the extraction group, while there was no difference between the right and left sides in the control group. We conclude that teeth extraction can induce cell death in the Mes V neurons innervating the PMR and produce a significant change in the brainstem mechanisms controlling mastication.