Electrical effects at the bone surface

While many factors have been isolated in enhancing and modifying bone remodelling there has been renewed interest in electrical based theories. As an adjunct to these theories magnetic based forces have been used to modify tooth movement. It would, therefore, seem prudent to re-examine the theories of electrical signalling within bone to determine if there is a basis for modification of bone modelling and remodelling as a consequence of these phenomena. Specifically piezoelectric and streaming potential phenomena will be examined in the light of new evidence. In particular the role of these signals in the in vivo situation has to be considered. Both phenomena suffer from the actual changes they induce being small in comparison to other potential difference changes. As a consequence of this the possibility of these potential signals appears to be of minor importance to cell signalling.