Evaluation of the Healing Potential of Silicon Carbide/Bioactive Glass/Carboxymethyl Chitosan nanocomposites on extraction socket in albino rats

Background: Dental extraction is one of the most widely performed dental procedures. Delayed healing is reported to occur in less than 11% of all extraction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the healing potential of silicon carbide/bioactive glass/carboxymethyl chitosan nanocomposites on extraction socket of albino rats. Methods: 36 male Albino rats were used in this study. Bilateral extraction of first mandibular molars was done. The rats were randomly assigned into four groups, GI: Control group; without treatment, GII: Carboxy-methyl chitosan group (CMC), GIII: Silicon carbide/Bioactive glass group(SiC/BG) and GIV: Silicon Carbide/Bioactive Glass/Carboxymethyl Chitosan (SiC/BG/CMC). Each group was divided according to the date of sacrifice 3,7 and 14 days into three subgroups. Healing efficacy of the materials were evaluated histologically, histomorphometricaly and by using real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for quantitative analysis of osteopontin (OPN) gene expression. Statistical analysis for all data was performed. Results: Histological results revealed group I showed a slower healing rate than other groups. Group II exhibited a better healing cascade than group I. Group III and group IV revealed a better healing with more bone formation than other groups at different time intervals. A significant increase in bone area percentage has been recorded in group IV along different experimental periods. Regarding the highest value for immature bone collagen area percentage, it was recorded at 14 days in group II while the lowest value was recorded in group IV at 14 days. qRT-PCR results revealed at 3 and 7 days’ interval; a significant increase in OPN level was detected in group II, while at 14 days’ interval; the highest OPN level was detected in group IV followed by group III. Conclusions: SiC/BG/CMC group can have superior results as more mature bone formation with a more regularly arranged osteocytes as compared to other groups.