Enhanced bone formation around dental implant using electrical stimulation

It has been known that electrical stimulation promotes osteogenesis. Electrical stimulation using direct current can be applied to dental implant without invasive technique. The purpose of study was to evaluate the effect of biphasic direct current (BDC) on osteoblast in vitro and on early bone formation around implant. Human mesenchymal stem cells were exposed to BDC (1.5 A/cm2, 1,000 Hz), which was compared to control without stimulation regarding to cell proliferation and cytokine production in vitro. For animal test, a micro-current stimulator chip was developed (120ldrs, 100 Hz 20ldrA/cm2). BDC was applied to the implant 7 days in beagle dog (n=10). No stimulation was applied to control group (n=10). The animals were sacrificed at 2 and 4 weeks after stimulation. Histological specimens was histomorphometrically analyzed. The number of osteoblasts was increased (31%, p<0.05) and VEGF was increased in the stimulated group (p<0.01). The bone volume (BV) and bone implant contact (BIC) in 2 weeks and BV in 4 weeks were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the test group compared to the control. BCS can contribute to enhanced osteogenesis, it could be applied clinically to the early bone formation around implants.