Early pulp changes after anterior maxillary osteotomy

For purposes of examining the pulpal reaction to segmental osteotomy, six adult female Macaca fascicularis monkeys received identical anterior maxillary osteotomies involving the incisors only. The mobilized segment was displaced distally a distance of approximately 2 mm, then splinted in place for a week. The healing and revascularization of the bone proceeded well, with no ischemic areas visible on the microangiograms other than in the animal examined immediately after operation. The osteotomy site was bridged with new bone at three months. The majority of the pulps of the mobilized segment and all teeth examined distal to the segment remained vital. No degenerative change other than the temporary disappearance of sensory nerves was observed in the vital pulps of the segments. By the six-month period, the sensory nerve supply to the dental pulp had regenerated completely.