The use of Portland cement in the repair of mandibular fractures in rats.

PURPOSE To evaluate the bone healing of mandibular fractures following the use of Portland cement. METHODS Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into control and experimental groups. In the control group the rats were submitted to a mandibular fracture, which was reduced, and the soft tissues were sutured. In the experimental group the rats had the mandibular fracture reduced and maintained with the Portland cement. The animals were euthanized 7 and 21 days after surgery by injecting a lethal dose of anesthetic. The following variables were studied: weight of the animals, radiographic images, histopathological features and time of surgery. RESULTS A weight loss was observed in the specimens of both groups at the different times of evaluation, a greater difference in weight before and after surgery being found in the experimental group, which was statistically significant (p <0.05, p = 0.041). From the histological point of view, with a margin of error (5.0%) the only two significant differences (p <0.05) recorded in the variables were "Material deployed" and "Bone resorption" during the evaluations at 7 and 21 days, respectively. CONCLUSION The Portland cement served to promote bone healing.