Evaluation of use of distraction osteogenesis in mandibular retrognathia and its effect on soft and hard tissues and airway

OBJECTIVES: Bone distraction is the process of new bone formation between the surfaces of bone segments gradually separated by incremental traction of soft tissues. These adaptive changes in the soft tissues allow for greater skeletal movements while minimizing the potential relapse. In this study, we are reporting our clinical experience with mandibular distraction used to achieve simultaneous skeletal and soft-tissue correction with distraction osteogenesis (DO). METHODOLOGY: A total of five patients who reported to the department for the treatment of mandibular deficiencies were selected. Cephalometric studies were done preoperatively and postoperatively for hard tissue assessment. Predefined reference points were used for the clinical evaluation for the evaluation of soft tissues. Results were compared between preoperative and 1(st)-, 3(rd)-, 6(th)-, and 12(th)-month postoperatively. RESULTS: The clinical observations in our study showed that there is a remarkable improvement in the facial esthetics. Cephalometric analysis has shown lengthening of the mandibular corpus and increase in the height of the vertical ramus. Certain minimal complications have also been noted. CONCLUSION: Despite the few complications, DO has become a popular surgical modality due to its many advantages.