An autoradiographic study of periodontal development in the mouse.

Tritiated thymidine was injected into 10- and 13-day-old mice because at this age the third molar is at the appropriate stage of development. At set intervals, the mice were killed and the distribution of labeled cells within the dental papilla and follicle examined. The change in labeling index with time was measured for defined areas in the papilla and follicle. It was shown that, during the late bell stage of development, cells moved from the papilla into the follicle. It was concluded that the pulp, rather than the investing layer of the follicle, is the source of the periodontium and that growth of the pulp and periodontal tissues could generate an important force contributing to tooth eruption.