Alveolar Distraction
011 grafting techniques are compromised when inadequate soft tissue is present: This is particularly problematic in the anterior maxilla when vertical hard and soft tissue defects e~ist after trauma or treatment of patholo
gy. Tightly bound tissue in this area makes primary closure very difficult. Distraction osteogenesis techniques take advantage of the development of bone that results – when an osteotomized segment of bone is slowly moved,
allowing new bone formation within the gap. This technique was initially used to lengthen long bones, but the principles have been applied to the jaws and to alveolar bone. The technique has the disadvantage of increased
