Purpose: To explore the relationship between the histological changes of the denudated bone in the hard palate of rats and its sizes.
Methods: Sixteen three-week-old SD male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (a control group and 3 experimental groups). In the three experimental groups, one and two and three quarters of the bilateral palatal mucoperiosteum were excised respectively. One animal in each group was sacrificed every two weeks and the histological differences were observed.
Results: Different histological changes were found among the groups. When the denuded part was over half of the palate, tight connections between scar tissues and both the palatal bone and the periodontal fibers were observed. Many necrotic bone tissues appeared in the mid-palate if more than three quarters of areas were exposed.
Conclusion: Different sizes of denuded bone may lead to different histological appearances. Structures and tissues change more when denuded part of the bone is larger.