Implants of polyvinyl alcohol sponge (Ivalon) following tooth extractions: A histologic study in rats

Abstract

Thirty-two rats were used in a study conducted to determine whether polyvinyl alcohol sponge is accepted or expelled after its implantation into the alveoli of teeth. Histologic observations were made after 24 hours and 3, 9, 12, 15, 20, 30, and 40 days. The tissues were stained with Harris hematoxylin and eosin for this morphologic study. Our findings showed that the sponge implanted into the dental alveolus seems to be a useful material to prevent the collapse of mucoperiosteal flaps in oral surgery procedures in spite of the delay in the healing of extraction wounds. It serves, in addition, to prevent hemorrhage and infection of the alveolus by the introduction of absorbable drugs with which the sponge implant may be saturated. No foreign-body reaction could be seen after polyvinyl alcohol sponge implantation in any of the experiments.