ABSTRACT
This article evaluates the use of distraction osteogenesis in the treatment of mandibular
retrognathia and laterognathia and the long term treatment results of the patients
treated with this technique. The procedure was carried out in 5 subjects (3 males
and 2 females, mean age 18.4 years) aged between 14 years and 27 years. In patients
treated with bilateral mandibular distraction, it was observed that the ANB angle
decreased by a mean of 5°, the mandibular corpus length increased by a mean of 14.5
mm and the overjet decreased by a mean of 12.2 mm after treatment. In patients treated
with unilateral mandibular distraction, a mean of 3.5° reduction was achieved in ANB
angle, the mandibular corpus length increased by a mean of 5.5 mm and a mean of 7
mm correction was achieved in relation to craniofacial midline with treatment. One
of these patients showed an increase of 10 mm in ramus height on the affected side
and a decrease of 5° in gonial angle whereas the other one showed an increase of 12.5°
in gonial angle and an increase of 11 mm in ramus height on the affected side after
treatment. The most significant long term relapse was observed in one of the patients
treated with bilateral mandibular distraction. Long term relapse seen in the rest
of the patients was within clinically acceptable limits. It can be concluded that
distraction of the deformed mandible is a feasible and effective technique for treating
mandibular retrognathia and laterognathia. However, it must be borne in mind that
accurate placement of the distractors and determining the correct distraction vector
are crucial factors that have an influence on long term clinical success. (Eur J Dent
2009;3:335-342)
Key words:
Distraction osteogenesis - Mandibular retrognathia - Laterognathia - Orthodontic treatment