[Healing process of bone fractures examined with X-ray radiography and xeroradiography]

The healing process of bone fractures produced in rat mandibulae was examined with conventional X-ray radiography and xeroradiography. Sixty rats of about 200g were offered to this examination and fractures were experimentally produced in the right mandibulae. Radiological observations were carried out immediately, 1 day, 4 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, 35 days, 42 days, 49 days and 56 days after fracturing. The conventional X-ray radiograms showed no noteworthy changes until the 4th day after fracturing. The radiopacity gradually increased from the 7th Day until the 56th day. The xeroradiograms obtained on the 4th day showed some early changes which appeared on the periosteal regions of the right mandibulae. The calcification of fractured regions on the xeroradiograms gradually increased until the 56th day, similar to that observed on the conventional X ray radiograms.