In Reply:

Abstract

Dessner et al claim to have published a similar method to ours in their previous articles. We do not agree about the similarity. The method published by Razdolsky and Dessner et al describes mainly a horizontal distraction of the body of the mandible. The mandible is split into 3 structural parts; the 2 posterior sides with the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and an anterior part that is then distracted away from the posterior parts. This method corresponds to a normal distraction to lengthen the mandible, with the only difference being that they do not cut the mandible at the angle but cut it more anteriorly, usually somewhere within the dentition, creating a vertical osteotomy in the cortical bone from the inferior border to the alveolar crest (resulting in a type of green-stick fracture). As a consequence of this, they have to provide the patients with a chin-cup to counteract the pull of the suprahyoid muscles on the anterior part of the mandible, which is structurally separated from the rest of the mandible. In the discussion they conclude that patient compliance in wearing the chin-cup is essential.