A light and scanning electron microscopy study of bone healing following inferior alveolar nerve lateralization: an experimental study in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone healing kinetics around commercially pure titanium implants following inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) lateralization in a rabbit model.


METHODS
Inferior alveolar nerve lateralization was performed in 16 adult female rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). During the nerve lateralization procedure, 1 implant was placed through the mandibular canal, and the IAN was replaced in direct contact with the implant. During the 8-week healing period, various bone labels were administered for fluorescent microscopy analysis. The animals were euthanized by anesthesia overdose, and the mandibular blocks were exposed by sharp dissection. Nondecalcified samples were prepared for optical light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation.


RESULTS
SEM evaluation showed bone modeling/remodeling between the IAN and implant surface. Fluorochrome area fraction labeling at different times during the healing period showed that bone apposition mainly occurred during the first 2 weeks after implantation.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained showed that bone healing/deposition occurred between the alveolar nerves in contact with a commercially pure titanium implant. No interaction between the nerve and the implant was detected after the 8-week healing period. Appositional bone healing occurred around the nerve bundle structure, restoring the mandibular canal integrity and morphology.
Yoshimoto
Marcelo
M
Department of Biomaterials, Nuclear Energy Research Institute (IPEN), University of São Paulo, Brazil. marcelo.yoshimoto@gmail.com
König
Bruno Júnior
BJ
Coelho
Paulo G
PG
Allegrini
Sérgo Júnior
SJ
Luiz
Fábio Franceschini Mitri
FF
D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011817:Rabbits; D014025:Titanium; D014945:Wound Healing
D015921:Dental Implants; D014025:Titanium