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Distraction Osteogenesis uses the bone that remains in a defect of the upper or lower jaw. A small osteotomy, or cut in the bone, is created to allow placement of a special bone plate that expands by pushing the segments apart. When the chamber in between these segments is allowed to heal for a week, a clot forms. Then the distraction phase begins and when the segments are placed under tension the bone stretches and grows. It then calcifies from the cut ends to the center of the growing new bone.
In our practice we have been able to apply this technique to reconstruction of severe deformities of cleft lip and palate, micrognathia (small lower jaw) that creates an open airway to alleviate airway obstruction such as sleep apnea, or in infants requiring tracheostomy. We have also been able to us it to grow the jaw after cancer resection, and growth of the jaw to prepare the sites for implant dentistry.
| Mandibular Distraction |
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Maxillary Distraction
Three Dimensional models used to adapt devices
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| Click the above link for an article written by Dr. Drew on the subject.
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