<![CDATA[Introduction: Tooth extraction damages soft and hard tissues, followed by alveolar bone resorption, which can interfere with the healing process and prosthetic rehabilitation. One effort to minimize alveolar bone resorption is the use of graft materials such as apatite cement, which is biocompatible and osteoconductive. This study aimed to analyze the effect of apatite cement on osteoblast cell numbers during alveolar socket healing following tooth extraction in rabbits. Methods: This study used a true experimental design with a post-test-only control group design. The study objects were biological materials placed in the alveolar sockets of New Zealand White rabbits, which were divided into a control group, a tooth extraction group without apatite cement administration, and a tooth extraction group with apatite cement administration. Histological observations were conducted on days 3, 7, and 14, representing the inflammatory, proliferative, and early remodeling phases of rabbit socket healing, respectively. The data were analyzed statistically using normality and homogeneity tests, followed by the one-way ANOVA statistical test. Results: The mean osteoblast cell counts in the apatite cement group were significantly higher than those in the control group on days 3, 7, and 14. The highest osteoblast count was observed on day 14, with mean values of 28.93 ± 3.57 cells/field in the apatite cement group compared with 0.80 ± 0.35 cells/field in the control group (p < 0.05). One-way ANOVA demonstrated significant differences among the experimental groups. Conclusion: Apatite cement administration increased osteoblast cell numbers in the alveolar socket after tooth extraction in rabbits, suggesting its potential to promote early osteogenic activity during the initial stages of socket healing.]]>
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