The aim was to describe the star volume analysis in ridge preservation using different grafting materials. Bilateral extraction of the first mandibular molars of sixteen male rabbits was performed, divided at random into four groups (n= 4 in each group) according to graft, using: blood clot (G1), xenograft (G2), pure phase beta-tricalcium phosphate (G3) and biphasic calcium phosphate (60 % HA / 40 % beta-TCP) (G4). Rabbits were euthanized at 4, 6, or 8 wk post-extraction; the trabecular bone structures was evaluated by star volume analysis. The Levene test was used to analyze variance, as was the independent sample t-test. A P-value of < 0.001 was used to establish a statistically significant. The star volume analysis of the mandibular trabecula shows that the marrow space star volume (V*m.space) was higher than the trabecular star volume (V*tr). At 6-week post-extraction, new trabecular bone was evident. At 8-week post-extraction V*tr increase in all groups and the V*m.space diminish, suggesting coarsening of the internal architecture. In G2, some trabecular bone was observed in the central region. In G3, most of the socket regions were occupied by newly formed and loose trabecular bone and in the G4, the sockets were almost entirely filled with trabecular bone. Star volume analysis is adequate to analysis of bone patterns formation using bone substitutes.
KEY WORDS: Extraction socket healing; Bone graft; Socket Preservation.
