The Effect of Low-Magnitude, High-Frequency Vibration Stimuli on the Bone Healing of Rat Incisor Extraction Socket

Abstract

Effects of small vibration stimuli on bone formation have been reported. In the present study, we used morphological and morphometric procedures to elucidate whether low-magnitude, high-frequency (LMHF) vibration stimuli could enhance the bone healing of rat incisor extraction sockets. After extraction of incisors from six-week-old rats, animals were assigned into a control group and two experimental groups to receive 50 Hz stimuli at either 0.05 mm or 0.2 mm peak-to-peak for an hour/day. LMHF vibration stimuli were generated by placing the mandibles of the animals onto a vibration generator. All groups were subdivided into two, according to the study periods (1 and 3 weeks). After the study period, undecalcified ground sections were taken and morphological and morphometric analyses performed. At both 1 and 3 weeks, newly formed bone was observed mainly in the upper wall of the extraction socket in all groups. Morphometric analyses revealed that the trabecular thickness in both experimental groups at 1 week was significantly greater than that in the control. LMHF vibration stimuli had a positive effect on bone at the early stage of bone healing, particularly in trabecular thickness, at the incisor extraction socket.