title: Histological and physical analysis of bone neoformation by osteogenesis distraction: A preliminary report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteogenesis distraction (OD) is a mainstream technique in maxillofacial surgical reconstruction with varied applications. OD technique employs a distractor with the aim to get new bone in the site of interest. Osseous maturation time is necessary before the device can be removed and few patients' complaint of related discomfort, especially when these devices are external, and induces superficial infections, paresthesia, hypertrophic scars and social relationship difficulties. The use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been proved beneficial to soft tissue and osseous repairs.
  
  
  METHODS
  12 rabbits were randomly divided in to two groups. In all animals, distractor was placed and one group was exposed to LLLT while the other group served as control. After consolidation, animals were sacrificed, the new bone formed were subjected to investigations including histomorphometric, physical analysis and tomographical analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Newly formed bone was significantly different between the groups. The physical properties of the neobone were comparatively better when the animals were exposed to LLLT with varying statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained with smaller sample size in this study need to be interpreted with care. The results of this preliminary pilot study encourage the use of LLLT during healing period. However the histological, tomographical and physical findings need to be ascertained using a larger sample size to study the bio-stimulatory effects with laser therapy from basics to clinical relevance on wound and bone healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, PUCRS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcello Gaieta
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Vannucci
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dreyer
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kreisner
authors.forename: Leonilson
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gaião
authors.forename: João Feliz Duarte
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Moraes
authors.forename: Marilia Gerhardt
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
keywords: Bone regeneration; low level laser therapy; osteogenesis distraction