Mandibular lengthening using preprogrammed intraoral tooth-borne distraction devices

purpose: This report describes the application of an intraoral device for t reatment of malocclusions characterized by mandibular deficiency and the su rgical technique for its placement. Patients and Methods: In an office setting, 5 retrognathic patients underwe nt mandibular lengthening via distraction osteogenesis with an intraoral to oth-borne distraction device. Under local anesthesia and sedation, mandibul ar corticotomies, mobilization, and placement of the distracters were perfo rmed. Preoperative, intradistraction, and postoperative dental casts, photo graphs, and cephalometric radiographs were used to analyze the results. Results: In 3 of the 5 cases, distraction occurred along the planned vector . The remaining 2 cases showed opening rotations of the mandibular anterior segment along with the advancement. Conclusions: This study documents that the mandible and the dental arch can be lengthened successfully using this technique.