Bone regeneration in alveolar bone dehiscences related to orthodontic tooth movements

A study was carried out on six dogs, three of which were used as experimental animals and three as controls. Orthodontic appliances were fitted to the experimental dogs and during a period of five months the maxillary incisors on the right side were moved labially, resulting in loss of alveolar bone at approximately the mid-root level. During a further period of five months these teeth were moved back to their original position while the corresponding incisors on the left side were simultaneously moved to a position corresponding to that previously reached by the incisors on the right side. The teeth were then retained in this position for five months after which the animals were sacrificed. During the entire course of the study the animals were subject to meticulous plaque control. The study showed that dehiscences or fenestrations can be produced in the buccal alveolar plate by moving teeth in a facial direction and that the bone will reform when the teeth are moved back to their original positions. It was also demonstrated that such tooth movements are not necessarily accompanied by loss of connective tissue attachment.