Distraction osteogenesis. Applications for mandibular regrowth.

One experimental surgical technique of bone replacement demonstrates the greatest potential for clinical applicability in the near future: the regrowth of bone by distraction (stretching). Distraction osteogenesis defines the technique of growing new bone by stretching existing bones. Although this technique does not represent the ultimate method of mandibular reconstruction, it shows sufficient promise that its eventual use for specific types of mandibular defects probably will occur in the near future.