title: Can tert-butylhydroquinone improve the healing of extracted tooth socket in rats?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tooth extraction causes an open wound in the soft and hard tissues. During the inflammatory phase of the healing process, a large amount of free radicals are produced and cause oxidative stress, which leads to tissue damage and delayed wound healing. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the effect of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), as an antioxidant, on the healing process of tooth sockets in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  To conduct this experimental study, male Wistar rats (n= 42) were divided into two groups. In each case, one upper second molar was extracted under general anesthesia. After the extraction, the tooth sockets of the experimental group were treated with a 0.02% TBHQ solution (0.1 ml) while the same volume of distilled water placed in the sockets of the control group. On days 3, 7, and 21 postoperatively, 7 rats from each group were euthanized, and histological slides were prepared from their tooth sockets. The prepared slides were examined histopathologically using a light microscope and compared using an independent two-samplet-test. The significance level was set at 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the experimental group, a statistically significant (P= 0.003) increase in granulation tissue was observed on day 3, in comparison to the control group. The extent of bony trabeculation was also significantly higher in the TBHQ-treated group than in the control group on day 21 (P< 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the limitations of an experimental study, it can be concluded that TBHQ may enhance the healing of the hard tissue in the tooth sockets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Somayeh Khoramian
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Tusi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Tahereh Eslam
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Manesh
authors.affiliation: Occupational Environment Research Center, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmood Sheikh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Fathollahi
authors.affiliation: Dental Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagherian
keywords: Antioxidants; rats; tooth extraction; wound healing