Horizontal alveolar ridge distraction osteogenesis in dogs: radiographic and histologic studies.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to evaluate the healing process in horizontal alveolar ridge distraction of the narrow alveolus in dogs.


METHODS
Six beagle dogs weighing approximately 9 to 10 kg were used in this experiment. Horizontal alveolar ridge distraction was performed in the right mandible, where the premolars had been extracted 12 weeks previously. Twelve days after the completion of distraction, the lengthening apparatus was removed. The distracted site was evaluated at 12 and 24 weeks after the removal.


RESULTS
At 12 weeks, thin woven bone was observed at the distracted site growing from the surface of the original lingual cortical bone toward the transport segment. At 24 weeks, the distracted site had fully changed into new mature lamellar bone, but the transport segments had been almost completely resorbed.


CONCLUSIONS
Horizontal alveolar ridge distraction was performed successfully in beagle dogs even though the apparatus was removed 12 days after the completion of distraction. The most important feature of this technique is the resorption of the transport segment.


CONCLUSIONS
Horizontal alveolar ridge distraction can be a beneficial technique for augmenting the alveolar ridge horizontally in the buccolingually reduced alveolar process before the placement of implants.
Nosaka
Yasuhiro
Y
Department of Dentistry and Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe Nishi City Hospital, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. nosasen@aol.com
Kobayashi
Masaki
M
Kitano
Saki
S
Komori
Takahide
T
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D001863:Bone Screws; D004285:Dogs; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors