Effects of local application of alendronate on early healing of extraction socket in dogs.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of alendronate (ALN) on bone remodeling following tooth extraction in a dog model. For the study, fifteen male Beagles dogs of approximately 12months of age were used. Mesial roots of four mandibular premolars were endodontically treated, and the distal roots were removed. ALN concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 2mg/mL were topically applied for 15min, while a sterile saline was used as a negative control. After the healing period of 1, 2, and 8weeks, the samples were analyzed by micro-CT and histology. Treatment with ALN increased vertical distance between the lingual and the buccal crestal bones. While the ALN-treated sockets had preserved more lingual bone areas, control sockets showed better preservation of the buccal bone areas. ALN treatment resulted in more osteoid formation within the extraction sockets compared with the control. Higher bone volume was found in ALN groups than in the control at 2-week and 8-week healing periods, reaching the significant difference only for the extraction sockets pooled for the ALN treatment. Although ALN treatment could not prevent buccal bone resorption following tooth extraction in dogs, it proved beneficial for the preservation of the lingual bone and formation of new bone within the socket. There was no clear relation between the ALN dosages and the alterations within the extraction sockets. ALN affects bone remodeling of the extraction socket. The optimal concentration remains to be determined in future studies.