Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of estrogen deficiency on newly formed bone obtained by osteogenic periosteal distraction histomorphometrically.
Study design: Thirty-six female rabbits were divided into 2 groups. The experimental group underwent a bilateral ovariectomy and a sham operation was applied to the control group to equalize the stress of ovariectomy surgery. Four weeks postoperatively, a gradual distraction of the mandibular corpus was performed.
Results: In the experimental group, callus formation was delayed and the new bone was less mineralized; conversely, when histomorphometric measurements were compared statistically, there were no significant differences between the ovariectomized and sham-operated subgroups in the mean extent of newly formed bone tissue.
Conclusions: Although osteoporosis caused by the lack of estrogen has negative effects on osteogenic periosteal distraction (OPD), these negative effects do not appear to present a contraindication to OPD.
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