Effect of Magnetic Fields on Bone Healing Around Implants in the Mandible: Anybody Research This?

Last Updated: Sep 11, 2011

Dr. P. asks:
I am doing my thesis on The Effect of Magnetic Fields on Bone Healing Around Endosseous Implants in the mandible. In my experimental design, I have placed 2 implants in the mandible one on each side in the anterior region and subjected one of them to a magnetic field. The implant in the contra-lateral side was not exposed to a magnetic field and will serve as the control. I will be studying the difference in healing effect due to magnets by comparing the both sites through CBVT scans.

After placing the implants I have taken CBVT scans in the same patient at three different time intervals. Now I am comparing the density around the implant – bone interface with 2mm intervals over the entire length of the implant at all four sides (mesial, distal, labial and lingual sides) and comparing with CBVT’s scans taken at various intervals on both implant sites. This comparison can be made by superimposing the CBVT scans and finding the difference or by finding values individually and comparing them. Now where I need some help is in developing a mechanism for accurate positioning of the mandible, implant and cone head so that the scans I take will all be at the same angulation. Have any of you done this kind of research? Do you have any recommendations for how I could standardize the CBVT scans? I must have this to make an accurate comparison of the bone density and other findings. Has anybody been doing research into the effect of magnetic fields on osseointegration?

10 Comments on Effect of Magnetic Fields on Bone Healing Around Implants in the Mandible: Anybody Research This?

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Idt

09/11/2011

Use a radiographic guide with barium markers to help aid in positioning

Dr. H

09/13/2011

Having not read your lead story (just the heading), a thought did come to mind: Dr. Vince Koclich (sp) from Washington state, has done some research on magnetic fields relating to orthodontics. It might be useful to evaluate his experiences.

Dr Dwayne Karateew

09/13/2011

Dr P. There is a lot of information available about patient specific radiological positioning guides. Also there is a lot of lit regarding clinical CBCT studies. If this is a thesis then I think you must do the research and lit review and not simply throw questions like this on an open board. Maybe you should start with PubMed. Search the lit from older subtraction radiography studies and the like. However, I question if this would pass an IRB review due to the total amount of radiation from the three sequential post surgical CBVT (CBCT) studies. Additionally they would question the statistical power of the study as it seems there is only a sample size of one. This is a case study at best. How can you make sure the magnetic field is not so large as to influence the other implants? These are some of the questions i am coming up with and perhaps there should be a review of the methodology.

09/13/2011

Yep. I would make sure I'm not studying the effect of CBVT on the human skull. Other than asking a random question, what is your reasoning behind the use of the magnetic fields? Is there literature suggesting that magnetic fields enhance bone healing? How are you determining what "healing" is accomplished? Via Hounsfield units? How do hounsfield units relate to osseointegration? These sound like harsh questions, but these are the same questions you would have to justify to obtain IRB approval for a human study.

Dr. Omar Olalde

09/13/2011

Interesting, Dr.P. What's your hypothesis?

09/13/2011

Dr P It is important to discuss your thoughts and what you planned to do with your supervisor. You may be wasting valuable time doing the wrong things or chase up the wrong alleys. The metal artefact is too great around implants to allow meaningful measurements. Resonance frequency analysis (ISQ) may be more appropriate and less damaging. Good Luck!

Baker vinci

09/13/2011

Might I suggest a HOBBY. for Gods sake, I could think of one hundred other things to study . It would be kind of Fun to place a patient with some of these nonintegrated implants, that could be backed out, into an MRI machine to expedite there removal. I would suggest universal precautions and a cup. Science first b Vinci

Baker vinci

09/19/2011

Dr. P , hope I didn't offend you . Some of ortho guys have studied the magnetic field effect around bone fx's. With fair results. Just not sure it's a very practical thing to asses. How about studying the patency of maxillary sinus opening into middle meatus and preoperative dz or lack there of. Seems like a lot of our readers would enjoy some ce on the subject. Bv

YILDIZ

09/24/2011

I think you should search the animal studies. If you can't find any study with this hypothesis, you should think making an experimental stud on animals first. I dont search on pubmed but if any, I would prefer a rabbit model of tibial implants. I would do the removal torque and histomorphometric tests on it.

Baker vinci

09/29/2011

Dr yildiz , that study has been done and done.... Bv

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