Mandibular lengthening by distraction osteogenesis using osseointegrated implants and an intraoral device: A preliminary report

Purpose: This study investigated an approach to distraction osteogenesis of the mandible using osseointegrated implants and an intraoral device, Materials and Methods. Five adult dogs were used for this experiment, After the extraction of the left mandibular premolar and molar teeth, two osseointegrated implants were placed. Abutment connection, attachment of the intraoral distraction device, and an osteotomy in the region between the implants were performed 3 months after implantation, The distraction was done at rate of 1 mm/day for 10 consecutive days to elongate the mandible 10 mm. The animals were killed 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the distraction was completed, and radiographic and histologic examinations were done. Results: The longer the time after completion of distraction, the more uniform the new bone that was observed radiographically and histologically in the gap created by the distraction, The titanium implants remained stable during the course of mandibular lengthening. Conclusions: An intraoral device using osseointegrated dental implants can serve as a mechanism for distraction osteogenesis in the maxillofacial skeleton.