EXTRACTION SITE HEALING IN RATS - A RADIOLOGIC DENSITOMETRIC STUDY

The present study uses a simple, objective method to radiographically evaluate the changes that occur during socket healing in rats. Mandibular left first molars were extracted in 35 Wistar rats, which were then sacrificed at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 45, and 60 days after surgery. Mandibles were removed, placed on an ANSI size 2 film, and exposed with an aluminum step-wedge, 0.5 to 3.0 mm. Socket density was measured with a digital densitometer and related to the equivalent density of aluminum. Increased density of the image of the apical and crestal areas of the socket was observed on day 7. Maximum density was reached by day 28 in the apical area; in the crestal area, density increased at a slower rate. The density changes found in the present study agree with the known histologic reports of socket healing in rats. Densitometric evaluation of extraction socket healing, using a step-wedge with 0.5 mm increments, is a useful and reliable tool to objectively assess bone formation and mineralization.