The influence of early bisphosphonate treatment in bone reconstruction on craniofacial radiographic bone density

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of alendronate (AL), a bisphosphonate, on visual bone density by means of a radiographic analysis. Material and methods: Sixty-two Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Group AA (AL with autogenous graft); group AW (AL without autogenous graft) both receiving AL on alternate days for 4 weeks before surgery; control group CA (with autogenous graft); group CW (without autogenous graft) both receiving saline solution before surgery. Experimental periods of evaluation were 2 weeks and 4 weeks postsurgery. Conventional and digital radiographs were obtained, and a 5-point grading system (score) was used to assess visual radiographic bone density. Results: There were no statistical differences between CA and AA groups at 2 and 4 weeks. The AA group had a higher mean score of bone density than the CW and AW groups at 2 weeks (P < 0.05). The CA and AA groups had higher scores of bone density than the CW and AW groups at 4 weeks (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Treatment with AL did not affect radiographic bone density at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. The presence of an autograft resulted in higher scores of bone density.