Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of alendronates on healing of extraction sockets and healing around implants in the maxilla of rats.
Materials and methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The rats in bisphosphonate group were subcutaneously injected with alendronate (5.0 mg kg(--1)) three times a week for 4 weeks. Both sides of the maxillary first molars were extracted, and customized titanium implants (Ø1.5 × 2.0 mm) were placed immediately into one side. Rats were killed at 3, 7, 14, or 28 days following surgery.
Results: New bone formation in extraction sockets, bone area around the implant site, and bone-implant contact were not delayed in the bisphosphonate group. The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positive cell count did not differ between bisphosphonate and control groups; however, empty lacunae were observed significantly more in bisphosphonate group. The differences in empty lacunae were shown at different time points between the implant sites and extraction sites: at 7 days after extraction, and at 14 and 28 days after implantation.
Conclusions: Alendronates seemed to decrease bone resorption but not to decrease bone formation. Empty lacunae were observed significantly more at later time points in implant sites compared to extraction sockets.
© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.