Use of distraction osteogenesis in cleft palate patients.

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) has been used recently to correct maxillary hypoplasia with predictable and stable results. In patients with clefts of the secondary palate, DO can also be used to aid in vertical alveolus augmentation and rapid orthodontic tooth movement. If an osteotomized dental arch can be transported to a new position without complications, it would reduce or eliminate the need for a secondary bone graft to the cleft alveolus in cleft patients and help prevent dentoalveolar defects by approximating the native alveolar bone and gingiva. Mobilizing a segment in the dentoalveolar region also results in the creation of new bone and attached gingiva. This report shows that the application of DO for skeletal expansion and rapid movement of tooth-bone segments should receive more careful consideration in the treatment of patients with clefts of the palate.