Alveolar socket preservation technique : effect of biomaterial on bone regenerative pattern

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence in the literature on the correlation between histomorphometric findings and gene/protein expression markers for bone metabolism. AIM: Evaluation of the histological features, changes in protein expression and gene activation for specific markers of bone metabolism following application of the alveolar ridge preservation technique with magnesium-enriched hydroxyapatite (MgHA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: For each patient (n=15), bone samples were harvested after tooth extraction and processed for immunohistochemical and gene expression analysis (T0). Then, all alveolar sockets were grafted with MgHA. After 4 months (T1), bone samples were harvested for histomorphometrical, immunohistochemical and gene expression analysis. Gene expression and protein expression were evaluated for: RANK, RANKL, OPG, IL-6, TNF-\u3b1. RESULTS: For all markers, gene expression increased, but not significantly, from T0 to T1. The mean RANKL/OPG ratio was 1.88\ub11.24. Protein expression increased significantly (p