The effect of bone mass and architecture on mandibular condyle after mandibular distraction

Mandibular distraction surgery is a critical treatment for jaw deformity. However, abnormal mandibular condylar bone resorption is often seen as complication after surgery. Our previous study using a rat mandibular distraction model suggested that overloading leads to mandibular condylar resorption. Host factors are also believed to influence the resorption. To understand the relationship between host factors and resorption, we investigated the effect of changing bone mass and architecture on the mandibular condyle using FK506.

FK506, an immunosuppressant, was used to compromise bone mass and architecture in this study. Animals were divided into 4 groups: distraction surgery (Dist), FK506 administration (FK), distraction surgery with FK506 administration (FK + Dist), and no surgery or FK506 administration (Cont).

The FK group showed reduced bone mass and impaired bone architecture. The Dist group exhibited abnormal bone resorption on the surface of the condyles, which was slightly exacerbated in the FK + Dist group. Bone defect length decreased over time as a result of bone apposition in the Dist group. However, in the FK + Dist group, the bone defect length remained the same.

These results suggest that bone mass and architecture strongly affect the tolerance to the overloading and adaptation with bone apposition in condylar resorption site.