Revista de Odontologia da UNESP
https://revodontolunesp.com.br/article/doi/10.1590/1807-2577.20250034
Revista de Odontologia da UNESP
Original Article

Effects of ionizing radiation on healing after experimental periodontitis

Efeitos da radiação ionizante na cicatrização após periodontite experimental

Juliana Simeão BORGES; Isabella Santos PAULA; Roberta de Oliveira ALVES; Guilherme José Pimentel Lopes de OLIVEIRA; Sérgio Vitorino CARDOSO; Rubens SPIN-NETO; Priscilla Barbosa Ferreira SOARES

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1807-2577.20250034 Rev. odontol. UNESP, vol.54, e20250034, 2025
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Abstract

Resumo: Introdução: Adoença periodontal é uma condição inflamatória crônica causada pela colonização de biofilmes subgengivais altamente complexos nas superfícies dentárias, que afeta o periodonto e o osso alveolar.

Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos da radiação ionizante na reparação dos tecidos periodontais após tratamento da periodontite experimental em ratos.

Material e método: A doença periodontal foi induzida por ligaduras de seda ao redor dos segundos molares inferiores por sete dias, utilizando o lado contralateral como controle. Vinte e oito ratos Wistar machos foram distribuídos em quatro grupos (n=7): não ligado e não irradiado, não ligado e irradiado, ligado e não irradiado, e ligado e irradiado. Após a remoção das ligaduras, os grupos irradiados receberam dose única de 30 Gy aplicada na região mandibular aos 7 e 20 dias. A eutanásia foi realizada após o período experimental. A microtomografia computadorizada avaliou perda óssea alveolar e fração de volume ósseo. Análises histológicas coradas em hematoxilina e eosina consideraram infiltrado inflamatório, vascularização, hiperemia, lacunas de Howship, fibrose e lacunas osteocíticas vazias. Os dados foram analisados com testes estatísticos (p<0,05).

Resultado: Animais com doença periodontal apresentaram maior perda óssea alveolar em comparação aos controles. Irradiados mostraram perda adicional em relação aos não irradiados, independentemente do tempo. Aos 20 dias, o grupo ligado e irradiado apresentou redução significativa da fração de volume ósseo. A análise histológica evidenciou infiltrado inflamatório, alterações vasculares, fibrose e maior número de lacunas osteocíticas vazias, sugerindo atraso ou comprometimento da reparação tecidual.

Conclusão: A radiação ionizante afetou negativamente a reparação periodontal, intensificando a perda óssea alveolar e a inflamação. Esses efeitos podem comprometer a cicatrização a longo prazo e interferir na recuperação óssea e de tecidos moles.

Keywords

Doenças periodontais, microtomografia por Raio-X, perda do osso alveolar

Resumo

Abstract: Introduction: Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by the colonization of highly complex, subgingival biofilms on tooth surfaces, that affects the periodontium and alveolar bone.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ionizing radiation on the repair of periodontal tissues after treatment of experimental periodontitis in rats.

Material and method: Periodontal disease was induced by silk ligatures placed around the second mandibular molars for seven days, with the contralateral side serving as non-ligated control. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n=7): non-ligated and non-irradiated (control), non-ligated and irradiated, ligated and non-irradiated, and ligated and irradiated. After ligature removal, animals in the irradiated groups received a single dose of 30 Gy of ionizing radiation applied to the mandibular region at 7 and 20 days. Euthanasia was performed after the experimental period. Micro-computed tomography was used to evaluate alveolar bone loss and bone volume fraction. Histological analyses with hematoxylin and eosin included inflammatory infiltrate, vascularization, hyperemia, Howship’s lacunae, fibrosis, and empty osteocytic lacunae. Data were analyzed with statistical tests, significance set at p<0.05.

Result: Animals with periodontal disease showed greater alveolar bone loss compared to controls. Irradiated animals exhibited additional loss relative to non-irradiated ones, regardless of time point. At 20 days, the ligated and irradiated group displayed a significant reduction in bone volume fraction. Histological analysis revealed inflammatory infiltrate, vascular changes, fibrosis, and higher numbers of empty osteocytic lacunae in irradiated groups, suggesting delayed or impaired repair mechanisms.

Conclusion: Ionizing radiation negatively affected periodontal repair by intensifying alveolar bone loss and inflammation. These effects may compromise long-term periodontal healing and interfere with bone and soft tissue recovery.
 

Palavras-chave

Periodontal diseases, X-Ray microtomography, alveolar bone loss

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Submitted date:
10/22/2025

Accepted date:
10/23/2025

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