Influence of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) on early healing events in rat periodontal defects

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate early healing at the dentin-gingival tissue interface in rat periodontal defects after the application of EMD. At one day, numerous neutrophils had infiltrated around the EMD. At three days, macrophages were prominent, and fibroblasts could be identified in the vicinity of macrophages. At 7 and 14 days, the granulation tissue adjoining the dentin surface was more cell-rich than in the control group. Furthermore, odontoclasts were observed in all of the specimens at 14 days in the experimental group. These findings indicate that macrophages, which appear in the very early stage of healing following the application of EMD, play an essential role in the proliferation of fibroblasts and the appearance of odontoclasts.