Response of periodontal ligament cells to orthodontic force: ultrastructural identification of proliferating fibroblasts.

The morphologic response of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells in an area of tension created by orthodontic force has been assessed by transmission electron microscopy. Young adult male rats were sacrificed at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours following orthodontic stimulation. The earliest detectable response was the appearance of increased numbers of mitotic cells in the PDL at 24 hours post-stimulation. The most significant ultrastructural feature of these cells was the presence of intracellular vesicles containing collagen microfibrils. These vesicles were identical to profiles present in interphase PDL fibroblasts involved in collagen phagocytosis associated with turnover of the ligament. Between 48 and 120 hours the alveolar bone surface in the region examined was characterized by the presence of newly generated osteoblasts and active bone formation. Intracellular collagen was never observed in osteoblasts. These observations suggest that at least a portio- of the population of PDL cells which proliferate in response to orthodontic force represent functional ligament fibroblasts.