Use of cyclic forces to expedite remodeling of craniofacial bones

1. A method for inducing a predetermined amount of bone remodeling and modeling in a cranium of a mammal in need thereof, by enhancing osteogenesis of cranial sutures, the method comprising:

(a) applying cyclic forces to a cranial region of said mammal in which bone remodeling is desired with a peak magnitude of up to about 10 Newtons and frequencies of up to about 40 Hz in a direction lateral to the sutures for a predetermined period of time; and

(b) repeating said application a plurality of times until a predetermined amount of bone remodeling and modeling in the cranium is obtained from the osteogenesis.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said cyclic forces are repeatedly applied a plurality of times each day.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said cyclic forces are repeatedly applied over a period of days or months.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said peak magnitude is about 5 Newtons.

5. A method for inducing a predetermined amount of osteogenesis in the cranium of a mammal in need thereof, the method comprising:

(a) applying cyclic forces to a cranial region of said mammal in which osteogenesis is desired with a peak magnitude of about 10 Newtons and frequencies of about 0.1 to about 40 Hz for a predetermined period of time; and

(b) repeating said application a plurality of times daily until a predetermined amount of osteogenesis is obtained.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein said cyclic forces are repeatedly applied over a period of days or months.

7. The method according to claim 5 wherein said cyclic forces are applied to the cranial sutures of said mammal.

8. The method according to claim 5 wherein said cyclic forces are applied at a frequency of about 0.1 to about 40 Hz.