Influence of magnesium deficiency in the diet on mandibular bone density and on induced periodontal disease: evaluation by computed microtomography

• Grant number: 12/10805-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2012
• End date: August 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Periodontology
• Principal Investigator: Silvana Regina Perez Orrico
• Grantee: Luna do Val de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease initiated and maintained by microorganisms of the dental biofilm, which affects the supporting structures of the teeth. In spite of its infectious nature, behavioral, genetic, and host-related factors ultimately determine the severity, susceptibility, and progression of the disease. The relevant role played by Mg on bone metabolism raised the hypothesis that deficiency of Mg could also influence the alveolar bone loss that is the hallmark of destructive periodontitis. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of severe Mg deficiency on both mandibular and alveolar bone loss associated with ligature-induced periodontitis. For this study, sixteen rats were randomly divided into two groups: control - animals fed a standard diet; Mg- animals fed a diet with 90% Mg deficiency. After 60 days on the diet, all animals received ligature on the lower left first molars to induce periodontal disease and were euthanized after 30 days. The mandible and lumbar vertebra (L4) were collected for computed microtomography (micro-CT) evaluation. It is going to be evaluated bone mass loss at the mandible and lumbar vertebra, as well as, the alveolar bone loss induced by periodontitis.(AU)