Effect of Bacterial Nanocellulose with Chemisorbed Antiseptics on Alveolar Bone Repair in Rats Undergoing Bisphosphonate Therapy

<b>Objectives</b>: This work investigated the effect of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) alone or with chemisorbed chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine on post-tooth extraction repair in rats undergoing bisphosphonate therapy. <b>Methods</b>: Forty Wistar rats were treated with zoledronic acid, subjected to tooth extractions and allocated into groups according to the material inserted in the post-extraction socket: (1) BNC (<i>n</i> = 10); (2) BNC/Iodine (<i>n</i> = 10); (3) BNC/Chlorhex (<i>n</i> = 10); (4) Control (<i>n</i> = 10). Maxillae were dissected and macro- and microscopically analyzed. <b>Results</b>: Oral lesion frequency on macroscopic examination did not differ between the groups, whereas it was larger in the BNC/Iodine group compared to the BNC/Chlorhex and Control. BNC/Chlorhex had significantly more connective tissue than did BNC but did not differ from the BNC/Iodine and Control. Epithelium, vital bone, non-vital bone, tooth fragment and inflammatory infiltrate did not significantly differ between the groups. BNC/Iodine showed greater CD31 immunostaining compared to BNC and the Control. Myeloperoxidase staining did not differ between the groups, and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed similar characteristics in all groups. <b>Conclusions</b>: BNC with chemisorbed povidone-iodine is associated with increased vascularization in post-extraction wounds of rats undergoing bisphosphonate therapy, whereas BNC with chemisorbed chlorhexidine improves connective tissue formation. BNC works as an effective carrier for the antiseptics tested.