Alveolar Distraction Osteogenesis

I have used distraction to treat 2 patients. Both had significant multi tooth vertical defects. The first case we moved the segment 4 mm and the second 9mm. I used the ACE system and it went well. Guidance was not an issue, need to overcorrect a couple of mm. mcalister reports on the technique beautifully and i felt it was easy to use. More predictable for vertical gain than blocks and it increases the soft tissue with it. Win win scenerio. Segmental osteotomy was a bit interesting sice i am a periodontist but the oiezo surgery system will greatly enhance it. Good luck. PS the people at ACE especially Dr. Carchidi were extremely helpfull.

I have found that although bone is generated with distraction, during implant insertion it is still necessary to add additional bone around the fixtures because the bone created between the segments is often narrow. Chair time is also somewhat increased with DO (need several postop visits until the patient is comfortable turning the screw) - and especially in the maxilla the vector can go more palatal than expected. On the other hand, using the sandwich osteotomy with an intermediate graft, I use a similar osteotomy as for DO and in a single procedure with less postoperative chair time I get similar if not superior results. Lastly, the distraction devices are not cheap and I am not sure the technique is cost effective at this time. All being said, the technique does work and new bone is generated between the segments. I would only recommend DO to maxiloofacial deformuty patients for there DO does have some advantages over other procedures.

If you are distracting an angulated segment, you retain that angulation in a more coronal form. You must choose a ditractor that has more than one plane if possible. The other problem, unlike onlay grafts, is that when a distracted segment fails, you end up with a significantly larger defect than when you started. This is more than inconvenient. Regenerating additional bone in the failed site becomes astronomically more difficult. Patient variables and compliance are additional constraints. Unless you plan to do the procedure often, stick to ridge splitting, inlay, and onlay grafts. You will sleep better at night.

After performing four DOs of alveolar ridges and more than 70 OBGs, I can assume that DO is probabbly the best technique for vertical augmentation. It is superior to other methods in the cases of large vertical deficiencies (>5mm) and in the esthetically demanding regions, because soft tissues follow the bone more predictable. We have used the Medartis-Modus V and V2 distractors that were simple to handle. I think that the method is not the first choice of treatment for posterior maxilla (Sinus Lift!) and for the posterior mandible (short implants!). Narrowest segments to be distracted should not be less than 2 teeth gaps and the procedure is most confortable for the patient if performed in GA.

Distraction can work great for large vertical defects. I used the Lorenz type and they come in various sizes and there are shims to change angulation if needed. It is quite pricey but they all are. The one note of caution is if the tissue opens up during the initial healing period then it's a nightmare to close. And you can't advance the screw until you have complete closure. Ideally the incisions should be vestibular

I am a practicing oral & maxillofacial surgeon in India and i am really interested in alveolar distractions. I heard a lot about the excellent results of ACE system but i am unable to use the "ACE Surgical's OGD(TM) (OsteoGenic Distractor) System" as its not available over here. Can anyone tell me about any other alternatives and your experiences?

besides the advantages of alveolar DO there are many complications about it. as dr. Gabor Balogh said the insicion is very important. positioning the incision at the vestibular gingiva is the best choice for my knowladge. also you should know the direction of your DO. you may do it on a sterolitograghic model before you operate. by some operations with the help of CTs and models you can gain experience about the movement vector of the alveolar distractor. i recommend you to examine the directon of the distractor before you close the flap if there are any boney or soft tissue obstacles for the segmental movement. i havent experienced a narrow bone formation after alveolar DO. time is the most important factor here i guess. you should wait for 6 months or more some times. and covering the gap with a membrane under the distractor maybe helpful.

To RAC-I think you should see a periodontist for an evaluation for your lower front teeth. The cuspids need to be very sound also (ie bone around them) before you consider a bridge. A bridge to the lateral incisors is not a good idea. To Karen-It would appear from your symptoms that the grafts are failing and there is significant inflammation and most likely infection. Get a panoramic radiograph taken as a preliminary diagnostic tool and see the surgeon who placed the grafts and implants for a clinical exam. To Ricki Gowen-Invasion of the mandibular nerve canal has occurred-it could be direct damage to the nerve, bur damage etc or it could be pressure from the graft material or the implants invading the canal. If symptoms aren't resolving at this point after that many months then they probably will not. If your surgeon is in denial seek another opinion.

Distraction is mostly a last ditch effort which is very traumatic to teh patient - with mild success stories Has anyone reviewed the literature out of JOMI where you can grow vertical using a product called Regenaform (Allograft engineered for both Osteoconductin AND Osteoinduction)

Please tell me where to buy The ACE OGD System, as I read is like an implant body type, very easy to use for a single space, and with distraction pins. When distraction is finished very easy to remove, comes in two diameters 3.75 and 4 and two lengths I think 6 and other

The lenght of the body of the ACE OGD is 3mm. or 5mm,with a 1.75 supergingival healing collar for distraction acces