Influence of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on osteogenic tissue regeneration in a periodontal injury model: X-ray image alterations assessed by micro-computed tomography

• LIPUS can increase the number, volume, and area of new alveolar bone trabeculae.
• LIPUS has the potential to promote the repair of periodontal tissue.
• Micro-CT could precisely reflect the situation in periodontal tissues.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate, with micro-computed tomography, the influence of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on wound-healing in periodontal tissues.MethodsPeriodontal disease with Class II furcation involvement was surgically produced at the bilateral mandibular premolars in 8 adult male beagle dogs. Twenty-four teeth were randomly assigned among 4 groups (G): G1, periodontal flap surgery; G2, periodontal flap surgery + low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS); G3, guided tissue regeneration (GTR) surgery; G4, GTR surgery plus LIPUS. The affected area in the experimental group was exposed to LIPUS. At 6 and 8 weeks, the X-ray images of regenerated teeth were referred to micro-CT scanning for 3-D measurement.ResultsBone volume (BV), bone surface (BS), and number of trabeculae (Tb) in G2 and G4 were higher than in G1 and G3 (p < 0.05). BV, BS, and Tb.N of the GTR + LIPUS group were higher than in the GTR group. BV, BS, and Tb.N of the LIPUS group were higher than in the periodontal flap surgery group.ConclusionLIPUS irradiation increased the number, volume, and area of new alveolar bone trabeculae. LIPUS has the potential to promote the repair of periodontal tissue, and may work effectively if combined with GTR.