Primate model for testing periodontal treatment procedures: I. Histologic investigation of localized periodontal pockets produced by orthodontic elastics.

Experimental periodontal lesions have been produced in Rhesus monkeys using orthodontic elastics. These lesions are characterized by an irreversible apical positioning of the junctional epithelium and both horizontal and angular bone loss. It was concluded that this lesion is suitable for testing the effect of periodontal treatment.