A distraction abutment system for 3-dimensional distraction osteogenesis of the alveolar process: technical note

To date, distraction osteogenesis has been carried out exclusively with devices that allow distraction in one given direction only. However, the new distraction abutment system described in this article allows distraction in any functionally or esthetically desired direction following osseointegration of 1 or several implants, provided that there are adjacent teeth or other osseointegrated implants. With this abutment system, an implant fixed in a position dictated by available bone volume can be moved into a prosthetically desirable position following segmental osteotomy. Accordingly, it also allows correction of the position of implants that were placed at an early age but whose position has changed as the result of jaw growth. Compared with conventional augmentation techniques carried out before or after implant placement, this method should lead not only to a shorter overall treatment time, but also to reduced strain on the patient and better long-term prognosis for success of implants.