The miniature pig as an experimental animal in dental research

The embryological development of the pig has long been recognized as very comparable to that found in man. That this similarity should extend beyond developmental anatomy into some phases of adult morphology and physiology is not surprising and indeed has been shown by many investigators. With miniature pigs available, the main disadBANtages of studying the pig are eliminated, namely, the rapid growth and great size achieved. With the knowledge that the miniature pig is an omnivorous animal, possesses deciduous and permanent sets of teeth, and displays both chewing and biting actions of the mandible, it would appear that this animal would be well suited to research programmes in the field of dentistry. It was the intent of this investigation to examine the miniature pig as a possible laboratory animal for different types of dental research activities. Handling and housing of miniature swine was done without difficulty, with cost and maintenance comparing favourably with that of other large laboratory animals. Blood, pure parotid and whole saliva, and tooth scrapings for bacteriological assay were easily obtainable. With the anaesthetized pig it was possible to perform routine dental procedures and operations, using standard dental equipment. Access was good and the types of procedures used in this investigation indicate that use of the pig may be a means of further developing dental research methods.