FIG. 4.

Micro-CT, scanning electron microscopic analysis, and mechanical functional test of progenitor cell-treated reimplanted teeth versus replants without progenitor cell pretreament. (a, b) 3D-reconstructed micro-CT images of replanted rat molars that were either repopulated with periodontal progenitors (a) or left untreated (b) after 16 weeks of replantation. (c–f) Higher magnification micro-CT sections (c, e) or scanning electron micrographs (d, f) of a single first molar mesial root from progenitor-treated (c, d) and untreated (e, f) replanted teeth 16 weeks postreplantation. Micrographs show optimum microanatomical integration of periodontal progenitor-treated teeth (a, c, d) in contrast to resorption, fracture, and partial ankylosis (b, e, f) in untreated controls. Individual tissues were labeled for orientation purposes. Levels of tooth displacement in response to mechanical loading (h) were very similar between progenitor-treated replants and WT controls, whereas nontreated replants were lost, loose, or ankylosed (respective percentages provided in g). CT, computed tomography; cr, crown; res, resorption; rt, root; ab, alveolar bone; de, dentin; ank, ankylosis; cem, cementum.