Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Author Spotlight: Comparing Alveolar and Long Bone Remodeling to Explore OTM Model Potential
Published on: July 21, 2023
Alveolar bone remodeling after tooth extraction in irradiated mandible: An experimental study with canine model
Venni Heinonen1,2, Timo J Ruotsalainen3, Lauri Paavola1
1a Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Institute of Dentistry , University of Eastern Finland , Kuopio , Finland.
Objectives:
The aim of the present study is to investigate the morphological and cellular changes in dental extraction socket that has been irradiated after the tooth extraction and to describe morphological characteristics of the osteocytes and osteocyte-lacunar-canalicular network (LCN) by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Material And Methods:
Five beagle dogs aged 1-2 years were used in this study. One side of each mandible was irradiated in two sessions and the other side of mandible (non-irradiated) served as a control. The mandible bone blocks were processed by bulk staining en bloc in basic fuchsin and the specimens were embedded routinely in polymethyl methacrylate resin without preliminary decalcification. All blocks were subjected to micro-CT imaging, after that the specimens were prepared for light microscopy and SEM.
Results:
Alterations in bone macrostructure are minimal in irradiated bone, but the changes in LCN are clear. In the area of the tooth extraction socket, the connections of osteocytes to the vessels and to neighboring osteocytes were not observed both in irradiated and nonirradiated bone. However, osteoclasts were located in the bone surface entering inside to the bone between osteons. In the lamellar bone of lateral sides, a decrease in canalicular connections between osteocytes and periosteum was found in irradiated bone as compared to the non-irradiated side.
Conclusions:
The novelty of the present study is that radiation disrupts osteocytes and their dendrites.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Nucleosome Remodeling
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
Alveoli and Alveolar Ducts
Typical Model Studies

