Fig. 2 –

Interradicular alveolar bone and site-specific tissue properties. (a) Distal side of the DAJ illustrated TRAP(+) osteoclasts. Multinucleated TRAP(+)cells (red arrows) were observed at the PDL-bone enthesis. Osteoclast count along the distal edge of the periodontal complex was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in 8- and 16-week-old rats fed softer foods. Within the interradicular bone, cement lines (red dotted lines) indicated a footprint of combined osteoclastic and blastic activities. However, the TRAP activity within the interradicular bone region was minimal and did not vary with age or food hardness. Unless indicated otherwise, black bars are 100 μm. (b) 3D but only a portion of the interradicular volume illustrates red lines representative of rows of nanoindentations on interradicular bone. (c) Heterogeneity in physical properties of interradicular bone (distribution, mode, and R-square) was highlighted in the form of decreased elastic modulus of alveolar bone from the SF group compared to the HF group at 12 and 24 weeks of age. The difference in mean elastic modulus values between the two groups was lower in the 24-week suggesting a converging pattern in properties across groups with an increase in age. The table shows mean elastic modulus and standard deviation of different diet groups at 12 and 24 weeks. Alveolar bone (AB), Periodontal ligament (PDL), Cementum (C), Interradicular (IR), Cement line (CL).