Treatment of postoperative midfacial deformity of chilopalatognathus by distraction osteogenesis with a self-constructed tooth-borne distraction device.

Objective: Distraction osteogenesis has recently evolved a challenging technique to overcome major drawbacks of the traditional orthodontic treatment modalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of patients with chilopalatognathus who have premaxillary deficiency through distraction osteogenesis using a self-constructed tooth-borne distraction device.

Material And Methods: Individual tooth-borne distraction devices were used for advancement of the maxillary anterior segment. Distraction was performed for 26 patients in accordance with the specific requirements of each individual. Cephalometric radiographs were taken before treatment (T1), after distraction (T2), and after consolidation for 8 weeks (T3).

Results: Cephalometric analysis revealed that the premaxilla was moved forward and that the length of palatal plane increased. In 2 cases, the distractor did not work during distraction and was removed.

Conclusions: Distraction osteogenesis using individual tooth-borne distraction devices in patients with chilopalatognathus could effectively resolve soft tissue insufficiencies and hypoplasia of the maxilla.