Effect of a resorbable bone graft material on orthodontic tooth movement through surgical defects in the cat mandible.

beta-Tricalcium phosphate ceramic, a resorbable synthetic bone material, was implanted into surgically created alveolar defects mesial to the mandibular first premolars of 12 adult male cats. Similar defects on the contralateral side were allowed to heal naturally. Six weeks later, nickel-titanium coiled springs were ligated between the mandibular canine and first premolar on both sides and activated to deliver 100 g of force. The distance between the canine and first premolar was measured with dial calipers at 0, 3, 6, and 9 weeks after appliance placement. Regression analysis of amount of tooth movement between the two teeth showed no significant difference between grafted and control sides. This suggests that placement of a resorbable synthetic bone material may have useful applications in situations where loss of alveolar width following extractions may compromise orthodontic tooth movement.