Research Methods in Life Sciences Commons^™

Observation Of Bone Formation In The Mandibular Symphysis Following Surgical Separation And Slow Mechanical Expansion In A Baboon, Robert J. Homer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Mechanical expansion of the maxilla, at the midline suture, is a widely accepted orthodontic procedure used to gain arch width in certain types of maxillary deficient arches.

In animal research on the mandible, techniques using surgical separation at the symphysis with immediate expansion up to 12 mm, fixation with a metal splint, and autogenous bone transplanted into the expanded area, have been reported to be successful.

To date, no experiment utilizing slow mechanical expansion of the mandible at the symphysis has been reported.

In this pilot study, the mandible of a female baboon was surgically separated A-P at the symphysis. …