Caspase inhibitor attenuates the shape changes in the alveolar ridge following tooth extraction: A pilot study in rats

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine whether the inhibition of apoptosis via pan‐caspase inhibitors can attenuate the changes in the alveolar ridge upon tooth extraction. BACKGROUND: Cells undergoing apoptosis might play a central role in the onset of alveolar bone resorption and the ensuing bone atrophy following tooth extraction. Caspases are proteases that regulate apoptotic cell death. It is, therefore, reasonable to hypothesize that blocking apoptosis with pan‐caspase inhibitors attenuates the changes in the alveolar ridge following tooth extraction. METHODS: In 16 inbred rats, the mandibular first (M1) and second (M2) molars of one side were extracted. Following random allocation, the rats received either a cell‐permeable pan‐caspase inhibitor or diluent. After a healing period of 10 days, changes in shape and height of the alveolar ridge were examined using geometric morphometrics and linear measurements based on micro‐computed tomography. RESULTS: Geometric morphometric analysis revealed that the pan‐caspase inhibitor prevented major shape changes of the alveolar ridge following M1 tooth extraction (P < .05). Furthermore, linear measurements confirmed that the pan‐caspase inhibitor significantly prevented the atrophy of the alveolar ridge height following M1 tooth extraction compared to the diluent controls (−0.53 mm vs −0.24 mm; P = .012). M2 tooth extraction caused no shape changes of the alveolar ridge, and thus, the pan‐caspase inhibitor group did not differ from the control group (−0.14 mm vs −0.05 mm; P = .931). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the inhibition of apoptosis may attenuate shape changes of the alveolar ridge following M1 tooth extraction in rodents.