RESPONSE OF PERIODONTAL MECHANORECEPTORS IN DOG TO CONTROLLED LOADING OF TEETH

The response of periodontal mechanoreceptor units was observed following changes in the rate of application of force to the teeth of anaesthetized dogs. In addition, short duration mechanical pulses were applied to the teeth in order to compare the thresholds of the units to mechanical stimulation. The behaviour of 60 units were studied, and all proved sensitive to changes in the rate of application of the stimulus. The rapidly adapting units responded only when the rate exceeded a critical value, and the latency of their response decreased when the rate of the stimulus was increased. There was considerable variation in the dynamic sensitivities of the slowly adapting units. However, of this group, those showing spontaneous activity were the least sensitive to dynamic forces. The thresholds to mechanical stimulation of the rapidly adapting units were consistently high, and those of the slowly adapting units showing spontaneous activity were consistently low. It is suggested that the variation in the nature of periodontal mechanoreceptor activity may be due simply to the spatial location of the receptors within the periodontal tissues. © 1969.