The use of distraction osteogenesis to induce new suprabony periodontal attachment in the beagle dog.

Using a technique called distraction osteogenesis (DO), orthopedic surgeons are capable of reconstructing 4 to 5 cm of bone and soft tissue without bone grafts or pedicle flap procedures. DO has been used recently to generate maxillofacial bone as an alternative to maxillary and mandibular osteotomies. Using DO methodology, this study attempted to regenerate supraalveolar buccal periodontium on the mandibular second, third, and fourth premolars of beagle dogs. A small but statistically significantly greater amount of new cementum was generated in experimental teeth, with no difference found between experimental and control groups with respect to regenerating alveolar bone. Further studies using modifications of this technique are warranted to explore the potential of DO as an alternative to conventional regenerative approaches.