Evaluation of minipigs as an animal model for alveolar distraction.
OBJECTIVE
Alveolar distraction osteogenesis is a relatively novel tissue regeneration technique that remains, in some respects, at an experimental stage. The selection of an experimental animal biomodel is not clearly defined, with reports in the reviewed literature on dogs, sheep, and monkeys. The present objective was to compare 2 experimental biomodels (dog and minipig) using an alveolar distraction protocol with a novel prototype distractor.


METHODS
Three beagle dogs and 3 Göttingen minipigs were evaluated, placing the distractor at the right hemimandible alveolar ridge after previous extraction of premolars. The radiological examination was carried out immediately after the distraction and at 2 weeks of consolidation.


RESULTS
Satisfactory clinical and radiological results were obtained in 2 of 3 beagle dogs after the previous unilateral extraction of mandibular and maxillary premolars. During the consolidation, a height gain of approximately 5 mm was observed, with the appearance of radiodense bone trabeculae in the distraction chamber. The distraction failed in all of the minipigs.


CONCLUSIONS
The minipig was not an appropriate biomodel for the study of alveolar distraction because the investigators were not able to maintain the seal of the distraction chamber or the stability of the distractor.
Martínez-González
José María
JM
Department of Buccofacial Medicine and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
Cano-Sánchez
Jorge
J
Campo-Trapero
Julián
J
Gonzalo-Lafuente
Juan Carlos
JC
Díaz-Regañón
Jesús
J
Vázquez-Piñeiro
María Teresa
MT
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000543:Alveoloplasty / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery; D004867:Equipment Design; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D023421:Models, Animal; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation; D011859:Radiography; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome