Local infusion of prostaglandin E1 stimulates mandibular bone formation in vivo

The maintenance of alveolar bone is a major clinical objective in dentistry. This is particularly difficult following such local inflammatory episodes as those of periodontitis or the loss of dentition (residual ridge resorption). We present evidence from beagle dogs that local infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE) for 3 weeks at doses of 500 to 2000 micrograms per week produces a dramatic, localized formation of alveolar bone in the mandible which exhibits a normal lamellar architecture and mineralization pattern when evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and microradiography. Whether this newly formed bone becomes functionally integrated into the skeleton and can replace bone lost from surgical resections or trauma remains to be established. Nevertheless, these data indicate that predictable local osteogenesis may eventually be produced by infusions of PGE.