Submerged intraoral device for mandibular lengthening

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orthodontics
• Pediatric Dentistry

Background:

• Mandibular hypoplasia presents significant challenges in pediatric patients.
• Conventional surgical techniques for mandibular lengthening can result in visible scarring.
• Intraoral distraction osteogenesis offers a potential alternative to minimize external scarring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of a new intraoral device for gradual mandibular distraction in young patients.
• To assess the feasibility of achieving significant mandibular lengthening while avoiding external facial scars.

Main Methods:

• A novel intraoral device was employed for gradual mandibular distraction in nine pediatric patients.
• Patients included those with hemifacial microsomia, ramus hypoplasia post-TMJ ankylosis, and Treacher-Collins syndrome.
• Mandibular lengthening was achieved through controlled intraoral distraction, followed by a retention period for ossification.

Main Results:

• Successful mandibular lengthening ranging from 12 to 28 mm was achieved, varying with distraction duration.
• The intraoral device effectively avoided external scarring.
• Average retention period for ossification was 3 weeks, with follow-up ranging from 5 to 44 months.

Conclusions:

• The reported intraoral mandibular distraction technique is effective for correcting mandibular deficiencies in young patients.
• This method offers a scarless approach to mandibular lengthening, improving aesthetic and functional outcomes.
• Further research can explore long-term stability and broader applications of this intraoral device.