Determination of Potential Cellular Proliferation in the Odontogenic Epithelia of the Dental Follicle of the Asymptomatic Impacted Third Molars
Purpose
The aim of this study is to determine the proliferative potentials of dental follicles (DF) of radiographically asymptomatic impacted third molar teeth by using Ki-67 and mini-chromosome maintenance protein 2 (MCM-2) proliferation markers, and to discuss whether there is any necessity for the removal of all impacted third molars by detecting the potential of the developing cysts and tumors of its DF.
Materials and Methods
This study involved 59 DF of 54 patients referred for clinically and radiographically asymptomatic lower impacted third molars. Thirteen healthy gingiva tissues obtained during the impacted third molar operation in 13 patients served as a control group. DF widths on periapical radiographs below 2.5 mm were included in the study. The epithelial and mesenchymal components of DF were examined histologically. All specimens were stained with periodic acid Schiff, Alcian blue, and mucin for the evaluation of mucous cell prosoplasia. Epithelial cell proliferation was determined by using immunohistochemical labeling.
Results
The histologic examinations showed 11.9% mucous cell prosoplasia, 55.9% squamous metaplasia, 15.3% glandular epithelium, and 33.9% inflammation. Ki-67 expression was found to have higher values than MCM-2 expression in controls 6.15 (3.18) and 10.53 (5.77) and in DF 4.46 (1.39) and 5.89 (2.89), respectively. The expression of both proliferation markers in the basal epithelial cells, mucous, and squamous epithelium and inflammatory cells were statistically significant (P < .01).
Conclusion
The results of this study indicate that the odontogenic epithelium in DF of asymptomatic impacted third molars might be actively proliferating and may be an indicator for the differentiation potential of DF. It would also seem that the inflammation observed in the mesenchymal components of DF up-regulate the cell turnover of odontogenic epithelium and lead to proliferation. Based on these observations, we support prophylactic removal of impacted third molars.
⁎Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Yeditepe, Istanbul, Turkey
†Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Yeditepe, Istanbul, Turkey
‡Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yeditepe, Istanbul, Turkey
§Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Yeditepe, Istanbul, Turkey
¶Professor, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yeditepe, Istanbul, Turkey
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Cabbar: Yeditepe University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Bagdat Cad. No:238 Goztepe, 34728 Istanbul, Turkey
This study was supported by TUBITAK (grant no. 106S236 [SBAG-HD-159]).
ABSTRACT