Induced Osteogenesis Using a New Periosteal Distractor

PurposeWe developed a new device mainly composed of a titanium mesh to distract the periosteum. The purpose of this study is to evaluate induced osteogenesis by periosteal distraction with the new device.Materials and MethodsWe divided 12 Japanese male rabbits into 3 groups, with 4 rabbits in each. In all groups the calvarial periosteum was reflected, and 1 side of the titanium mesh was fixed to the bone surface with 2 micro-screws. In groups 1 and 2, an elevation screw was inserted into a serrated hole on the other side of the plate 7 days after surgery. Then the device was activated at a rate of 0.5 mm every 12 hours for 5 days. At 4 weeks of the consolidation period, group 1 was killed, followed by group 2 at 6 weeks. Group 3 (control) received no screws, and hence no activation was performed. In group 3, 2 animals were killed 4 weeks after titanium mesh insertion, followed by the other 2 animals at 6 weeks. The device was designed to simultaneously distract the periosteum at different rates along its inclined surface. Newly formed bone was histologically and radiographically evaluated.ResultsThe new device effectively induced osteogenesis and successfully distracted the soft tissue after 6 weeks in a rabbit model.ConclusionsThe new device is slim, and the procedure is straightforward. Thus, periosteal distraction with this device can potentially be used for vertical and horizontal ridge augmentation in the oral cavity. In addition, the results suggest that connective tissue growth in the distraction site might be controlled by reducing the speed of periosteal distraction.