2003 Volume 16 Issue 1 Pages 90-96
We report our experience with use of an implant-type distractor (ACE OsteoGenic Distractor TM :OGD) for vertical alveolar distraction osteogenesis. The patient was a 19-year-old male with an alveolar bone defect in the anterior portion of the mandible, caused by a traffic accident. Two distractors were inserted into the distracted bone segment and the base bone, using the same procedure as for a dental implant. After a 10-day latency period, the alveolar bone was elevated vertically, at a rate of 1.0 mm/day, for 10 days. After 12 weeks of a consolidation period, the distractors were removed. When three osseointegrated implants were inserted 3 months after the removal of OGDs, new bone formation in the distraction gap was observed. The implants have shown good progress at 1 year after fitting of a superstructure (about 2 years after the distraction osteogenesis).
Although the follow-up period is still short, and long-term prognosis of the bone produced by distraction osteogenesis is unclear, alveolar distraction using OGD might be a successful technique for vertical alveolar ridge augmentation.
