Defining Distraction Osteogenesis

In the world of oral and facial surgery there are a lot of long words that get thrown around. The surgical procedures we perform are very complex and because they all involve facial bones, are very important to perform correctly. Even though they have long, scary names, the surgeries themselves are very fascinating. One surgery, Distraction Osteogenesis, is particularly fascinating and we’d like to explain it to you further here.

Distraction Osteogenesis is only used for selected deformities and defects of the oral and facial bones. The surgeon slowly moves two segments of bone tissue apart from one another with an appliance. This is very skilled work because it must be done in such a way do that new bone grows in between the segments, filling the gap.

The technique was first used in 1903, and used primarily in the arm and leg bones. The treatment of the facial and oral skeleton with distraction osteogenesis begin in the 1990s and since then the field has become safe and predictable for treatment of certain deformities and defects of the facial bones.

Advances in the technology of distraction osteogenesis have made this procedure less and less painful, while becoming more and more suitable for treating those disorders. It eliminates the need for bone grafts and produces less swelling than traditional treatments. However, the frequent monitoring of the bone in the weeks after the appliance is placed by the surgeon can be a disadvantage for the patient.

If you have any questions about how distraction osteogenesis may help you please schedule a consultation with Dr. Sedaros today.