Immunohistochemical Analysis of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) in Dental Follicles of Impacted Third Molars / Análisis Imunohistoquímico de Antígeno de Proliferación Celular Nuclear (PCNA) en Folículos Dentales de los Terceros Molares Retenidos

This study investigated the immunodetection of PCNA in epithelial components of dental follicles associated with impacted third molars without radiographical and morphological signs of pathosis. A total of 105 specimens of dental follicles associated with impacted third molars with incomplete rhizogenesis (between Nolla's stage 6 and 9) were surgically removed from 56 patients. Epithelial cell proliferating was determined by using immunohistochemical labeling. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test. Of the 105 dental follicles collected, 6 were PCNA-positive ( 6 percent). The specimens with squamous metaplasia and epithelial hyperplasia had higher rates of positivity for PCNA, as well as those with proliferative remnants of odontogenic epithelium. In conclusion, this study shows that dental follicles at this stage of development have low proliferative potential, but suggests that squamous metaplasia, hyperplasia of the epithelial lining and presence of proliferative odontogenic epithelial rests in the connective tissue may be early signs of developing lesions of odontogenic origin.

Se investigó la inmunodetección de PCNA en los componentes epiteliales de los folículos dentales asociados a terceros molares retenidos sin signos radiográficos y morfológicos de la patología. Fueron extraídos quirúrgicamente, de 56 pacientes, 105 muestras de folículos dentales asociados a terceros molares retenidos con rizogénesis incompleta (entre los estadíos de Nolla 6 y 9) La proliferación de células epiteliales se deteminó mediante inmunohistoquímica. El análisis estadístico se realizó mediante la prueba exacta de Fisher. De los 105 folículos dentales recogidos, 6 fueron PCNA-positivos ( 6 por ciento). Las muestras con metaplasia escamosa e hiperplasia epitelial tuvieron mayores tasas de positividad para PCNA, así como aquellos con restos de proliferación del epitelio odontogénico. En conclusión, este estudio mostró que los folículos dentales en esta etapa del desarrollo tienen un potencial proliferativo bajo, pero sugiere que la metaplasia escamosa, la hiperplasia del epitelio y la presencia de restos epiteliales odontogénicos, en proliferación en el tejido conectivo, pueden ser signos tempranos de lesiones en el desarrollo de origen odontogénico.

Pathologic changes in dental follicle associated with third molar impactions - a study

The aim of this study was to establish radiographic criteria for early diagnosis of cystic changes in dental follicles associated with impacted third molars and thereby prevent the development of a pathological cyst and its associated complications. This case control study was performed involving 20 cases of impacted third molars with follicle size measuring <2.5mm and 4 controls with follicle size measuring >3mm, as measured on panoramic radiographs, followed by histopathologic evaluation of the follicles for cystic changes. 55% of follicles associated with impacted third molars, with pericoronal radiolucency less than 2.5mm actually showed presence of stratified squamous epithelium consistent with a dentigerous cyst. Thus on the basis of the results obtained in this study, it was concluded that a pericoronal radiolucency associated with impacted third molar and measuring less than 2.5 mm in the greatest dimensions should be considered as a potential source for the development of a dentigerous cyst when seen in an OPG