*2.4. Histological Examination*

Specimens were fixed using 4% paraformaldehyde solution and demineralized using 10% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, Sigma-Aldrich, USA). The demineralized specimen was then dehydrated with increasing ethanol concentration (70% to 100%). Subsequently, it was cleaned with Xylene (Sigma-Aldrich, USA), embedded in paraffin, and then cut into 3 μm specimen slices using an Automated Rotary Microtome (Leica RM2255, Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany). Following the above process, the hydration step was executed. H&E staining (hematoxylin and eosin, Sigma-Aldrich, USA) was performed to evaluate histological characteristics including inflammatory response, collagen presence, and neovascularization.
