Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study of early repair of alveolar sockets after the extraction of molars from alendronate‐treated rats

The aim of the present research was to analyze ultrastructural and immunohistochemical aspects of the alveolar repair after the extraction of molars of alendronate (ALN)‐treated rats. Wistar rats received 2.5mg/kg body wt/day of ALN during 14 days previously and 7, 14 and 21 days after the extraction of the second mandibular molar. Specimens were fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde + 2.5% formaldehyde under microwave irradiation, decalcified in 4.13% EDTA and paraffin embedded for TRAP histochemistry and immunohistochemistry for OPN, BSP and endoglin, or embedded in Spurr epoxy resin for TEM analysis. Additional specimens had their soft tissues removed and were processed for scanning electron microscopy. The ALN group presented latent TRAP‐positive osteoclasts and nonresorbed alveolar crests with bacterial infection. Mild bone necrosis signs were observed at all time points studied. Ultrastructurally, empty osteocyte lacunae were observed and bone trabeculae surface presented hyalinized aspect. A significant delay in alveolar repair occurred, as well as decreased angiogenesis. ALN treatment provoked mild signs of bone necrosis, despite the high dose employed. The present findings add new information about the ultrastructural aspect of the early repair of rats under ALN treatment and highlight for giving attention when oral surgeries are performed in patients using this drug. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:633–640, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.