An alternative, easy and reproducible method of stabilization and ligature-induced periodontitis in mouse

Periodontal disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss in the world. Ligature-induced is the most used method to study periodontitis. Here, we describe a alternative, easy and accessible experimental technique of ligation in mice. Twenty C57BL/6 female mice were divided in two groups, control and ligation. Ligature group (n = 10) was immobilized in a well described stabilization board and ligature was performed at the first molar using a new procedure here described in detail. Eight weeks later animals were euthanized, and periodontitis hallmarks were evaluated. Ligatures remained attached to the teeth in all animal during the hole experiment. The procedure induced a temporary loss of weight but no causalities or tooth loss. The animals affected by ligation in their molar teeth presented all periodontitis hallmarks, including alveolar bone loss, gingival retraction and inflammatory infiltrate in the studied region both macro and microscopically. The alternative method is low cost, easily reproducible, and induces all periodontitis hallmarks that are sustained until 8 weeks after placement. •Ligature-induced periodontitis in mouse is a powerful tool of research.•Methods describing the procedure in literature are difficult to reproduce.•A alternative stabilization and ligation procedure in mice is completely described here.