Dentoalveolar development in beagle dogs after palatal repair with a dermal substitute.

Introduction: Our aim was to compare the dentoalveolar development in beagle dogs after palatal repair according to the Von Langenbeck technique with and without implantation of a dermal substitute.

Methods: Nineteen beagles (age, 12 weeks) were assigned to 2 experimental groups and an untreated control group. Palatal surgery was performed with the Von Langenbeck technique in the 2 experimental groups. The dermal substitute Integra (Plainsboro, NJ, USA) was implanted in 1 experimental group, and the other served as sham group. Dental casts were made before surgery and at several times in all groups to measure dentoalveolar development. Transversal distances, arch depth, tipping, and rotation were determined. Histologic evaluations were performed at 3, 7, and 15 weeks after surgery. The degrees of reepithelialization and tissue organization were evaluated microscopically.

Results: All wounds healed without complications. Scar tissue attached to the bone was found in both experimental groups. Deposition of bone in the Integra occurred after implantation, indicating its osteoconductivity. Transversal dentoalveolar development was similar in both experimental groups, but it was significantly less than in the control group.

Conclusions: Implantation of Integra after the Von Langenbeck procedure for palatal repair does not improve dentoalveolar development.