Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a surgical-orthopedic technique for lengthening a bone by separating or distracting a fractured callus. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of an enamel matrix derivative (EMD) on bone repair and regeneration after DO on a canine mandible. Ten adult beagle dogs were used in this study. Their right and left mandibles were compared as the test and control groups, respectively. The distraction was undertaken at a rate of 1 mm per day for 10 consecutive days to yield 10 mm lengthening of the mandibular corpus. The EMD was treated into the test group at the site of the lengthened bone. At 0, 1, 3, 6 and 9 weeks after EMD treatment, the bone mineral density (BMD) at the site of the lengthened bone was measured using quantitative computed tomography. BMD in the tested group was higher during consolidation period than in the control. The difference in the BMD of 1 and 3 weeks after EMD treatment was significant (p < 0.05). In histological findings, new bone formation in the test group was denser than the control group. These results suggest that the application of an EMD during DO is suitable method for alveolar ridge augmentation in dogs.

Key words: Bone regeneration; Distraction osteogenesis; Enamel matrix derivative