Hypertension is one of the most important public health problems worldwide. If
undiagnosed or untreated, this pathology represents a systemic risk factor and offers
unfavorable conditions for dental treatments, especially those requiring bone
healing.Objectives The purpose of this study was to demonstrate, by analysis of bone mineral density
(BMD), that the alveolar bone healing process is altered in spontaneously
hypertensive rats (SHRs). Material and Methods Wistar rats and SHRs were submitted to extraction of the upper right incisor and
were euthanized 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 days after surgery. Right maxillae were
collected, radiographed and analyzed using Digora software. BMD was expressed as
minimum (min), middle (med) and maximum (max) in the medium (MT) and apical (AT)
thirds of the dental alveolus. ResultsThe results were compared across days and groups. Wistar showed difference in med
and max BMD in the MT between 7 and 28 and also between 14 and 28 days. The AT
exhibited significant difference in med and min BMD between 7 and 28 days, as well
as difference in min BMD between 28 and 42 days. SHRs showed lower med BMD in the
MT at 28 days when compared to 21 and 42 days. Differences were observed across
groups in med and min BMD at day 28 in the MT and AT; and in max BMD at 14, 21 and
42 days in the MT. Conclusions These results suggest that the alveolar bone healing process is delayed in SHRs
comparing with Wistar rats.