ABSTRACT
Incipient changes of the periodontal tissue in the pressure zones of rat molar subjected to the experimental force were studied by the transmission electron microscope. Experimental animals were consisted in 3 control and 21 experimental rats, of which one maxillary first molar was moved buccally with a fixed appliance which were exerting the force of 15 gm. After experimental period of 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days and 7 days, the animal were sacrificed with cardiac perfusion of 2.5% glutaraldehyde in the sodium cacodylate buffer and the experimental teeth with surrounding periodontal structures were processed for electron microscope. At the beginning of the tooth movement, periodontal ligaments of the pressure were compressed and collagenous fibers were arranged parallel to the root of the teeth and cell free zones in company with cell necrosis were followed. Cell free zones at the periodontal ligaments appreared in the 3 hour survival group, and getting severe with time lapse it became widespread in 2-3 day survival group and undermining bone resorption as a healing process was observed in 7 day survival group. Dilatation of mitochondria and swelling of the rER in the fibroblast and other connective tissue cells in the periodontal ligament were observed in the 3 hour survival group, which were characteristics of the incipient changes in the compressed periodontal ligament. Dilatation of nuclear membrane and pyknosis were followed by the destruction of the nucleus and cell membrane. There were no evidence in cell damage or necrosis of the alveolar bone adjacent to the hyalinized area of periodontal ligaments.