Alveolar distraction osteogenesis: a case report involving ankylosed maxillary central incisors.

Restorative dentistry, for the optimal esthetic and functional result, at times requires innovation, exacting techniques, and employment of various treatment modalities. A case has been presented here involving a large esthetic defect in the maxillary anterior. Traditional methods of restoration may have been successful but alveolar distraction osteogenesis was determined to be the treatment of choice due to time, predictability, lack of invasiveness, and cost. It is a relatively new surgical procedure that has many applications to restore esthetic defects, ridge augmentation, and large craniofacial abnormalities. Movement of osseous sections can be made in a vertical, labial, or lingual direction. When treatment planning restorative dentistry with vertical hard and soft tissue deficiencies, alveolar distraction osteogenesis can be considered to achieve optimal esthetics and a more ideal crown-to-root ratio. Further information can be obtained from any oral surgeon, orthodontist, or from the Internet. Dr. Martin Chin, a maxillofacial surgeon from San Francisco, has done much of the clinical work regarding distraction procedures on humans and continues to be an innovator in craniofacial distraction osteogenesis. His work can be found on the Internet at www.distraction.net; other interesting Web sites include www.klsmartin.com/distract.dir/indexdistract.html and www.seattle-implants.com/articles/distost.htm.