Fig 1.
Oral mucosal tissue closure following tooth extraction in mice.
(A) Representative photographs of tooth-extraction sockets from the maxillary first molar at various post-extraction days. (B) Area quantification of the tooth-extraction sockets over the indicated days post-extraction, demonstrating the dynamics of the closure process. (C) Perimeter quantification of the tooth-extraction sockets on the indicated days. (D) Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the tooth-extraction sockets. Scale bars are 100 µm. Square dot boxes indicate the area was magnified for the image below. Graphs show the mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.005. ns, not significant. One-way ANOVA with Sidak multiple comparison test (B and C).
Fig 2.
Collagen deposition in the tooth-extraction sockets in mice.
(A) Trichome (top), Picro-Sirius Red using a light microscope (middle), and Picro-Sirius Red using a polarized light microscope (bottom), staining at the tooth-extraction sockets on the indicated days. (B) Quantification of collagen type I (yellow/orange/red) obtained from the Picro-Sirius Red (polarized light) staining at the tooth-extraction sockets. (C) Quantification of collagen type III (green) obtained from the Picro-Sirius Red (polarized light) staining in the tooth-extraction sockets. Scale bars are 100 µm. Graphs show the mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.005. ns, not significant. One-way ANOVA with Sidak multiple comparison test (B and C).
Fig 3.
Woven bone formation in the tooth-extraction sockets in mice.
(A) Two-dimensional cross-sectional views of µCT scanning from the maxillary 1st molar socket. (B) Three-dimensional views of µCT scanning at sagittal and occlusal views at the tooth extraction sockets, as well as newly formed woven bone. (C and D) Quantification of woven bone in the tooth-extraction sockets at the M and DB roots of the maxillary 1st molar. Graphs show the mean ± SEM. ****p < 0.0001. ns, not significant. One-way ANOVA with Sidak multiple comparison test (C and D).
Fig 4.
Formation of osteoclasts following tooth extraction in mice.
(A) TRAP staining in the tooth extraction site. (B) Quantification of TRAP+ cells. Black boxes indicate the area was magnified for the image below. Arrows denote osteoclasts. Dashed arrows indicate osteoclasts in newly formed bone. Scale bars are 100 µm. Graphs show the mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, ****p < 0.0001. RM one-way ANOVA with Turkey’s multiple comparison test (B).
Fig 5.
Expression of RANKL and OPG in the tooth-extraction sockets in mice.
Immunohistochemical staining was performed against RANKL (A) or OPG (B) in the tooth-extraction sockets. Square dot boxes indicate the area was magnified for the image below. Scale bars are 100 µm.
Fig 6.
Summary of osteomucosal healing patterns.
Wound closure occurs progressively in a time-dependent manner (red). The presence of osteoclasts (purple) and the formation of collagen (green) fibers occur as early as day 2. Newly forming woven bone (pink) starts forming at day 5 and increases rapidly at day 7.