The effect of implanting autogenous and xenogenous (Bio-Oss) bone transplants into metabolically active sites within beagle dog mandibles during permanent premolar tooth eruption was examined. Ten 14-week-old beagles were used. Before commencing the radiographic experiments, metal bone markers were placed in the caudal margin of the mandible at the age of 10 weeks. The deciduous first and third molar teeth were extracted and their sockets over the permanent second and fourth premolars were implanted with autogenous particulate enchondral iliac crest bone, autogenous particulate membraneous mandibular body bone, xenogenous bovine anorganic bone mineral spongiosa granules (1-2mm3) (Bio-Oss, Geistlich Pharma, Switzerland) of left empty. The third premolar served as control site. Standardized oblique lateral radiographs were taken once a week. A number of coordinates of defined points and structures were determined by means of a coordinate digitizing system. Animals were killed 4, 10 and 16 weeks after bone transplantation for histological examination of the transplantation sites. All premolars showed no delay in eruption or disruption of crown and root development. On histology, the Bio-Oss particles were not resorbed or integrated in the alveolar bone but were pushed forward into the gingiva. We have demonstrated that there is on difference in the eruption curve of the permanent premolars in the four groups (ANOVA P > 0.5) and that bone transplantation has no inhibitory effect on eruption (ANOVA P > 0.3) and crown development of the underlying permanent premolar but that Bio-Oss does not have the same resorbable or integrating capability as autogenous bone grafts.