The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of the periodontal ligament on the healing and the formation of alveolar bone in the extraction socket, when this ligament had artificially remained in the socket during the tooth removal. Twenty rats aged 4 weeks were used and devided into the control groups (10) and the experimental groups (10) in this study. The maxillary right and left first molars were extracted in both groups. In the experimental groups the periodontal ligament was remained in the extraction sockets using 0.4% fl-aminopropionitrile, and in the control the periodontal ligament was completely removed by curettage. At 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after the tooth extraction, rats in both groups were serially sacrificed. And the specimens were prepared with HematoxyIin-Eosin stain for the light microscopic evaluation.
The results ofthis study were as follows ;
1. On 1 day, the periodontal Iigament was only found in the extraction socket walls of the experimental groups, and there was not the distinguishable difference between the control and the experimental groups.
2. On 3 days, there were more collagen fibers and the appearance of higher cellular density in the experimental groups than in the control. And the cells and collagen of the periodontal ligament were so actively proliferated and synthesized that invaded into the connective tissue of the extraction sockets in the experimental groups.
3. In the experimental groups, the trabecular bone was formed on the basal and lateral bone surface on 5 days.
However, there was not the new bone forming appearance in the control groups at this time.
4. On 7 days, the trabecular bone was formed in the control groups.
5. On 14 days, the extraction sockets were almost entirely filled with the bony trabeculae in both groups. But, compared to the control group, the experimental groups showed the prominent differences in the amount & the density of the new bone formed.
In conclusion, it was suggested that the residual periodontal ligament tissue in the extraction socket will play a major role as the important cell source in the healing and the new bone formation of the extraction socket.
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