Alveolar distraction osteogenesis in the human mandible: a clinical and histomorphometric study

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the quality of newly formed bone in the distraction region and to determine the percentage of mineralized bone formed in the distraction area.

Methods: Ten patients with vertically deficient mandibular alveolar ridges were treated by means of distraction osteogenesis. Four months after consolidation of distracted segments, a total of 40 dental implants were inserted in native bone and distracted bone. Bone biopsies were taken at the implant sites with trephine burrs for histological and histometric analyses. Four months after implant placement, abutments were connected, and prosthetic loading of the implants was started.

Results: The mean bone gain at the end of distraction was 7.2 ± 0.8 mm. The cumulative success rate of implants 3 years after the onset of prosthetic loading was 100%. The newly formed bone consisted of woven bone reinforced by parallel-fibered bone with bone marrow spaces and the percentage of mineralized bone ranged from 50.56% to 76.88%.

Conclusions: Alveolar distraction osteogenesis is able to produce adequate mature bone for the correction of mandibular bone deficits before dental implant insertion.