Craniofacial Disorders, Cleft Palate & Plastic Surgery

Providing innovative treatment for facial and skull disorders.

Mandibular Distraction

Mandibular distraction is a technique where the lower jaw is cut after pins are placed in the bone on either side. Once the cut (osteotomy) is made in the bone, the pins are gradually moved apart (distracted), and new bone formation occurs in the gap by a process called distraction osteogenesis.

New technologies have resulted in multi-vector distractors that permit mandibular transport in all planes of space to yield a more optimal outcome.

Distraction osteogenesis of the mandible has been used to correct asymmetric jaws in patients with hemifacial microsomia, to lengthen jaws in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and to correct recessed lower jaws at any age. Children with permanent tracheostomies are sometimes good candidates for this technique of mandibular distraction.

Our craniofacial surgeons have been involved in popularizing the majority of techniques used for mandibular distraction in the major centers of this country.

Mandibular Distraction Patient: Before and After