Periosteal distraction osteogenesis: Preliminary experimental evaluation in rabbits and dogs

The aim of this project was to evaluate the potential of bone formation by the distraction of periosteum. Distraction of calvarial bone in 12 rabbits at 0.25 mm a day caused formation of bone in 3 animals, and distraction at 0.5 mm a day caused formation of bone in 2. A second trial of alveolar distraction in four dogs using a specifically-designed distraction device showed lack of stability of the device.