Immunoexpression of Ki67 and p53 in the Dental Follicles of Impacted Teeth

Aim. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphological aspects of dental follicles associated with impacted teeth and the immunoexpression of Ki 67 and p53, in the remaining epithelium from impacted third molars and canines. Another aspect was to identify the transformation of the remaining epithelium within the odontogenic lesions.

Material and method. We included in the study a number of 100 dental follicles, of which only 62 met the inclusion criteria. The immunohistochemical reactions were carried out in the Immunohistochemistry Lab at the Department of Histology of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Târgu Mureş. We counted 100 cells from the remaining epithelial islands from which we determined the percentage of labeled cells for both markers. After this all data were subjected to a statistical analysis.

Results. Out of the 62 specimens 44 were from females and 28 from males. Positive results were obtained for the two markers but not for all cases. We have also found a positive correlation regarding the immunolabeling of the two markers (p=0.002 in canines, p=0.0001 in molars). Median values for ki67 were statistically significantly higher than the values for p53 for both types of dental follicles.

Conclusions. Both markers were expressed in the remaining epithelial islands. The stronger expression of Ki67 in the follicles of impacted molars can demonstrate the higher frequency of odontogenic cysts in this area.