Experimental alveolar bone loss in the monkey evaluated by 125I absorptiometry.

An 125I absorptiometry technique is described which has sufficient precision to detect the alveolar bone loss associated with ligature-related periodontitis in the monkey. Six monkeys had significant drops in alveolar bone mass 14 days after the the application of a silk ligature around the gingival margin of an adjacent tooth. Variation in the magnitude of bone loss was observed. These may represent variations in the pathogenicity of the microflora produced in response to a ligature and/or variation in host response to the insult produced by specific dental plaque organisms. The lack of bone loss post-ligature plus antibiotic therapy supports the theory that the bacterial-host interaction, not simply irritation from the ligature alone, is responsible for the bone loss. The potential for bone regeneration after ligature-induced bone loss is demonstrated.