Effect of phenytoin on periodontal tissues exposed to orthodontic force--an experimental study in rats.

The influence of the anticonvulsive drug phenytoin on the periodontal tissues during orthodontic tooth movement in the rat was studied. The experimental and the control group each consisted of 10 Sprague-Dawley rats. The test group was injected daily with phenytoin during the experimental period of 6 weeks. A fixed appliance for expansion was applied on the first molars in both groups after 2 weeks (day 15). At the end of the experiment (day 42), radiographic measurements revealed less tooth movement in the phenytoin-treated rats. Compared to the control group, significant histologic changes in the periodontal tissues such as increased density of fibroblasts, decreased number of osteoclasts in contact with alveolar bone wall of the pressure side and deeper layer of non-mineralized osteoid on the tension side were observed in the phenytoin group.