Finite element analysis and β‐catenin Signaling at the Alveolar Bone after Tooth Extraction – study in rats

Abstract

β‐catenin signaling is critical for remodeling bone. Finite element analysis studies showed that there is an alveolar bone adaptation associated with chewing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of β‐catenin and the alveolar bone deformation by finite element analysis in rats with tooth extraction. Twenty‐four male rats (Wistar linage), 2 months old, were used. The tooth (right upper incisor) extraction procedure was performed. In the control group (n = 6) the normal dentition was maintained. The euthanasia occurred at 5 (n = 6), 7 (n = 6) and 14 (n = 6) days after day 0 of extraction. The three‐dimensional model of the rat skull was constructed in each group, and the computational simulation by finite element analysis was performed to simulate the bite in the incisors. The left maxilla of all rats was removed and submitted to histological processing. The immunohistochemistry analysis was performed for β‐catenin labeling. The finite element analysis of the experimental group showed a smaller amount of deformations relative to the control group and a distribution pattern uniform. In osteocyte count, positive β‐catenin markings concentrated on the lingual alveolar bone and the ANOVA test showed that there were differences 14 days compared to the other groups (p = 0.00303). The findings of this study showed that the condition of tooth extraction can cause β‐catenin expression and altered regimens of alveolar bone deformation.Support or Funding InformationThe São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP (grant: 4674‐1/2017) and The Institutional Internationalization Program (PrInt) of the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).