Long-bone distraction osteogenesis as developed by Ilizarov, Codvilla, and others used a circumferential distraction device that provided controlled linear bone elongation. The distraction device could be applied directly parallel to…
After approximately 10 years of clinical practice, alveolar distraction osteogenesis has evolved in reconstruction of the jaw and alveolus into three options: (1) definitive alveolar distraction osteogenesis—used to finalize reconstruction…
Maxillary and mandibular widening Mandibular-maxillary deficiency is one of the most common dentofacial deformities. This problem can present in the three dimensions of space: (1) anteroposterior, (2) vertical, and (3) transverse….
Although distraction osteogenesis (DO) of the midface in theory is no different from DO performed at other sites, the surgical application of DO in the midfacial region is different. As…
The mandible is a unique intramembranous bone that crosses the facial midline terminating in fibrocartilage-covered joints articulating against the cranial base. The basal portion of the mandible—the condylar neck, ramus,…
For the purposes of this article, lengthening of the mandible is subdivided into vertical lengthening of the ramus as in patients with hemifacial microsomia and horizontal lengthening of the mandibular…
Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a surgical technique for reconstruction of bony deformities. It involves making osteotomies in the bone and gradually displacing the two bony segments apart. This results in…
Unfortunately, few of these issues are or can be addressed by distractors that are commercially available today. Extraoral distractors, especially those applied to the mandible, are relatively easy to apply…
Review of bone mechanics To begin to understand the effects of mechanical forces on bone, such as those that occur during distraction osteogenesis (DO), it is necessary to consider the…
