[Vertical distraction osteogenesis of the alveolar process for implant treatment]

The rehabilitation of the chewing function of a patient is ultimately dependent on the quality and volume of the available jawbone. The vertical augmentation of the jawbone is often a challenge for the implanting dentist. Various methods, from transplanting autogenous bone through to the employment of bone substitute materials have been described and often controversially discussed. Vertical distraction offers an alternative to the pre-implantological augmentation of the vertically reduced bone. A technique which shows certain advantages over conventional augmentative methods.