1 Appearance of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells after application of enamel matrix derivative during the healing process of periodontal tissue defects in rats

Abstract

We evaluated the healing process of experimental periodontal tissue defects in rats after the application of enamel matrix derivative (EMD). Palatal dehiscence defects were surgically created on the bilateral maxillary first molars in forty rats. EMD was applied to cover both sides of the denuded dentin surfaces in the experimental group, and none was applied in the control group. Rats were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after surgery, and biopsies of the tooth, gingiva and bone were examined for the appearance and kinetics of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells by histopathology and enzyme histochemistry. There were more TRAP-positive cells on the new bone surfaces and the denuded dentin surfaces in the experimental group than in the control group. This suggests that TRAP-positive cells have the potential to promote new attachment formation and new bone formation.