Bone wound healing after maxillary molar extraction in ovariectomized agedrats: Quantitative backscattered electron image analysis

The processes of bone wound healing after maxillary molar extraction in ova riectomized aged rats were examined by means of quantitative back-scattered electron image analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Six-mon th-old female rats were either sham-operated or underwent bilateral ovariec tomy (OVX), and 60 days postoperatively, the maxillary first molars were ex tracted. On post-extraction days 7, 30, and 60, the dissected and resin-emb edded maxillae were micromilled in the transverse direction through the ext racted alveolar sockets, and new bone formation on the buccal maxillary bon e surface and within the extracted alveolar sockets was examined. In both s ham-operated control and OVX rats, new bone formation was recognized on the buccal bone surface, as well as within the extracted sockets, and increase d daily through to day 60. In comparison to sham-operated controls, new bon e formation in OVX rats was significantly decreased both on the buccal bone surface and within the extracted sockets. Our results suggest that bone wo und healing by new bone formation after maxillary molar extraction is signi ficantly decreased in OVX-induced osteoporosis. Anat Rec 259:76-85, 2000. ( C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.