[Interdental distraction osteogenesis: a retrospective case study]

Skeletal Class II malocclusion is the most common indication for combined orthodontic-orthognathic treatment. Interdental distraction osteogenesis can be applied during the pubertal growth spurt with the aim of avoiding orthognathic surgery at a later age. This retrospective case study included 20 patients with mandibular retrognathia for whom orthodontic treatment with functional appliances had yielded insufficient results and who were subsequently treated with interdental distraction osteogenesis. A Class I occlusion was achieved in all patients. The average mandibular length gain was 9.6 mm (sd = 3.7 mm). The average time between placement and removal of the distractors was 4.6 months (sd = 1.5). In nine patients, a mesial root fracture occurred in the second molar; extraction was required in three of these cases. Interdental distraction osteogenesis resulted in satisfactory skeletal and occlusal outcomes. An important advantage of this treatment is the relatively short duration of the total treatment. Nevertheless, questions remain regarding the long-term stability of the results.