Biomechanical Induction of Mandibular Alveolar Growth in Edentulous Growing Children

Abstract

Purpose It has been traditionally believed that alveolar bone growth and development are dependent upon dental development. The occurrence of alveolar bone development after placement of osseointegrated mandibular implants in 2 edentulous children is reported here. The fact that alveolar bone development occurred in the absence of natural teeth suggests that its growth and preservation is dependent upon biomechanical forces rather than the presence of teeth, as traditionally thought. Methods Serial panoramic and clinical evaluations were carried out on 2 children, ages 7 and 9 years old, for 5 years after placement of osseointegrated implants and their prosthetic rehabilitation. Results Both children showed impressive alveolar bone growth, which occurred to such an extent that it had to be surgically reduced to permit proper hygiene around their fixed hybrid prosthesis. Conclusions It is proposed that a biomechanical “message,” instead of a biochemical–biologic one, controls alveolar bone growth and that the implants permit biomechanical loading that controls alveolar bone growth to exist in the mandible.