Electrical stimulation of bone and its implications for endosseous dental implantation

Applied electrical potentials can alter cellular movement, stimulate production or destruction of cells, and change the chemical concentration and composition of both soft tissue and bone. These actions vary depending on the microamperage and duration of the applied current and whether it is continuous or pulsed, the type of metallic electrode, and the types of cells or tissues involved. Relative to skeletal effects, researchers have accumulated data from bone cell cultures, embryonic and adult animal bone, and human clinical studies. This article reviews the historical use of electric current for fracture healing, the piezoelectric effect found in tissues, and the possible deleterious effects of electrical stimulation. The types of electric current presently used for treating extremity fractures and reports where electric current has been used on tissues in the oral cavity are discussed. Alternate sources of energy to stimulate bone and possible implications for use of electrical stimulation to augment attachment of endosseous dental implants are also included.