Intraoral distraction osteogenesis in the baboon mandible using a tooth and bone-anchored appliance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using an intraoral, bone and tooth-anchored appliance to distract baboon mandibles using the principles of distraction osteogenesis (DO). Seven juvenile baboons were used in this study. Mandibular corticotomies were made in the ramus of the mandible unilaterally (n = 5) or bilaterally (n = 2), and a "pin-in-tube" (PIT) distraction appliance was applied. The device was secured to the mandibular ramus posterior to the cortical cut with a bicortical screw and anteriorly to an occlusal splint. The appliance was activated an average of 0.86 mm/d (0.5 to 1.3 mm/d) for an average of 12.4 days (10 to 14 days). Predistraction and postdistraction measurements were made between metallic markers placed in the distraction area, in the dental midline, and of the overjet and overbite. Bone healing was complete in all mandibles. The average mandibular lengthening measured between the metallic markers was 7.9 mm. The mandibular midlines showed an average of 4.25 mm of lateral movement in the unilaterally distracted mandibles. There were no infections. The results of this study indicate that an intraoral bone and tooth-anchored distraction appliance is an effective method to produce lengthening in the mandible by distraction osteogenesis.