Evaluation of T-Butyl Hydroquinone (TBHQ) Effect on the Healing Of Extracted Tooth Socket in Rat

Tooth extraction causes an open wound in the soft and hard tissue.During the inflammatory phase of healing process, a large amount of free radicals produce and cause oxidative stress leading to tissue damage and delayed wound healing. Antioxdinant enzymes help to promote wound healing by neutralizing free redicals.According to this fact, in this study the t-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) effect, as an antioxidant, on the healing process of tooth socket was evaluated in rats. To conduct this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were divided into two groups and in each case one upper second molar was extracted under general anesthesia. Then sockets were treated with 0.02% TBHQ solution in the case group (0.1ml) while no specific substance was placed in the socket of the control group. In the days of 3, 7 and 21 after the surgery, seven rats from each group were sacrificed and histological slides were prepared from their tooth socket. The prepared slides were examined by light microscope histopathologically and were compared using independent two sample t-test. The significance level was set at 0.05. Increased granulation tissue in the third day, in experimental group in comparison to the control group was statistically significant (P=0.003). The extent of bony trabeculation in experimental group was also significantly higher than the control group on the 21st day (P<0.001). Regarding the limitations of an experimental study, TBHQ may enhance the healing of hard tissue in the tooth socket of rat.