Extraction Wound Healing After Tooth Fracture in Rats

¹ University of Illinois College of Dentistry, Chicago, Illinois

The retention of a large root remnant delayed and altered the healing process in the socket after tooth extraction in young rats.

The root fragment was in the process of being exfoliated from the healing socket. This exfoliation was accompanied and assisted by epithelial proliferation around the root remnant, cementum deposition, and widening of the periodontal ligament.

Resorption of cementum and dentin occurred during the early phases of healing. Active cementum apposition was characteristic of the later periods of healing. Cementum apposition was observed on the external root surfaces as well as inside the root canal. Young connective tissue was seen inside the pulp cavity in the specimens observed at 4 and 8 weeks. In the mandibular specimens, extraalveolar osteophytic bone was present on the external bony walls of the healing socket.