Post-Extraction Wound Healing in Elderly

Patients presenting to the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry for a posterior extraction will be offered participation in the study. Prior to extraction, subjects will undergo clinical measurements, xray, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva sampling and a blood draw. Following atraumatic tooth extraction, the subjects will be reevaluated for healing at 1, 2-weeks and 3 months. At each appointment, GCF, saliva and wound fluid (WF) will be collected and at 3 months a second xray will be taken.