Abstract

The relationship between stress and bony architecture has long been recognized, but the actual cellular machanism which causes the alteration is still somewhat vague. Piezoelectric properties and bioelectric potentials have been proposed as partial answers.

It is the purpose of this investigation to better understand and correlate the relationship of electric potentials or bioelectric potentials to the formation and transformation of physiologic bone.

It is very likely that the crystallites of bone possess the physical properties that would allow them to exhibit the piezoelectric phenomenon.

In the technique of this work a direct current and a pulsating current across the femur shafts of growing dogs were applied for three weeks. The currents ranged from two to sixty microamperes.

The results obtained were in discord with previous literature in that adverse effects to direct current were observed in all cases at the positive poles. Previous literature has claimed osseous growth at both poles. especially the negative pole.

These results are explained in the nature of the electrical field that is produced from a direct current. The field acts to depolarize the ions in the area. This results in the migration of positive ions away from the positive pole. Such ions of bone as Ca++, K+, Na++ and Mg+ are driven away from this area and result in a breakdown in the inorganic or mineral ultrastructure of the bone.

The conclusions of this thesis are:

1. Direct current adversely effects bone growth.

2. Demineralization occurs at the positive poles.

3. Bony dissolution and necrosis ensues following demineralization.

4. Trauma results in Osseous callus growth with increased mineralization of the area affected.

LLU Discipline

Orthodontics

Department

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

School

Graduate Studies

First Advisor

Thomas J. Zwemer

Second Advisor

Robert L. Nutter

Third Advisor

Ralph R. Steinman

Fourth Advisor

Robert W. Woods

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1964

Date (Title Page)

6-1964

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Bone and Bones

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vi; 30

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

Download

Share

COinS