A histological study on experimental tooth movement into bone induced by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in beagle dogs

Objective: The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine experimental tooth movement into newly generated bone induced by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). Method: After extraction of the maxillary first premolars, bone defects were surgically created in eight adult beagle dogs using a 5-mm-diameter trepan bar. According to which material was grafted into the bone defects, animals were divided into the following four groups: (1) the rhBMP-2 group in which rhBMP-2 with a poly[ D,L-(lactide-co-glycolide)]/gelatin sponge complex was implanted; (2) the spongiosa group in which spongiosa from the tibia was grafted; (3) the nongrafted group in which no material was embedded; and (4) the control group in which only tooth extraction was performed. The osteoinductive activity of rhBMP-2 and tooth movement into the newly generated bone were examined by histological and morphometric comparisons of each group. Results: Considerable new bone formation was observed at the grafted site both in the rhBMP-2 and in the spongiosa groups. The area of generated bone in the rhBMP-2 group was significantly greater than that in the spongiosa group. Newly generated bone, in both the rhBMP-2 and spongisosa groups, showed a similar histological response to orthodontic force as in normal alveolar bone in the control group. However, root resorption occurred on the pressure side in the rhBMP-2 group. Conclusion: These results indicated that rhBMP-2 might constitute an alternative material to autogeneous bone grafting for alveolar cleft defects. Further studies regarding tooth movement into generated bone induced by rhBMP-2 are suggested.