Radiographic and Histological Evaluation of the Healing of Extraction Sockets Filled With Bovine-derived Xenograft: An Experimental Study in Rats

To evaluate the microenvironment changes in the sockets substituted with bovine-derived xenografts during the early healing period. After extraction of the right maxillary incisor of Sprague Dawley rats, 48 rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. The extraction sockets of the test group were filled with Bio-Oss, whereas the control group was allowed to heal without intervention. The bone quality of the extraction sockets was observed through micro-CT and immunohistochemistry. Micro-CT scanning showed that the bone mineral density in the test group was significantly higher than that in the control group during the early healing period, whereas immunohistochemistry showed that the bone formation–related factors were significantly different between the test and control groups. The bovine-derived xenografts may interfere with the healing process of the extraction socket in the early healing stage. Bone formation of the extraction socket was delayed after grafting with bone substitute.