Effect of periosteal stimulation therapy on bone formation in orthopedically expanded suture in rats.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the effects of periosteal stimulation therapy (PST), on bone regeneration in response to expansion of the interpremaxillary suture, in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixteen male, 50-60 days old Wistar rats were divided into two equal groups (control and experimental). Both groups were subjected to expansion for 5 days, and 30 cN of force was applied to the maxillary incisors with helical spring. On the 2nd day of the expansion procedure in the experimental group, the periosteum over the interpremaxillary suture was stimulated locally by intraperiosteal penetrations with a hypodermic needle. Bone regeneration in the interpremaxillary suture was evaluated by bone histomorphometry and the new bone area, bone perimeter, feret's diameter and new bone/old bone percentage parameters were evaluated. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical evaluation at p < 0.05 level. RESULTS Significant differences were found between groups for all investigated histomorphometric parameters. New bone area (p < 0.01), bone perimeter (p < 0.05), feret's diameter (p < 0.01) and new bone/old bone percentage (p < 0.01) measurements were significantly higher in the experimental group than that in the control. Bone histomorphometric measurements revealed that bone architecture in the PST group was improved. CONCLUSIONS Local stimulation of the periosteum of the sutural area during expansion stimulates bone formation and improves healing.