Abstract
Alveolar ridge augmentation by bone grafting has been carried out for a localized alveolar ridge defect to complete oral rehabilitation with endosseous implants. This procedure has several disadvantages, such as morbidity of the donor site or lack of soft tissue. On the other hand, distraction osteogenesis makes it possible to augment an alveolar ridge without bone grafting and allows simultaneous soft tissue expansion. Therefore this technique seems to be useful for alveolar ridge augmentation in patients undergoing dental implant treatment. However, in this procedure, several problems still remain such as infection or resorption of transport segment. Consequently we should make a deliberate choice for alveolar ridge augmentation.
