Mandibular distraction osteogenesis: a clinical experience of the last 17 years.

Mandibular distraction is the treatment of choice for the surgical correction of mandibular hypoplasia of different etiology. It is a surgical technique that is less invasive and time intensive; also, it has a significantly decreased morbidity rate.The experience of lengthening mandibles in the last 17 years had shown that in more severe mandibular hypoplasia, better results will be obtained in the long term with earlier treatment, especially in the more severe grades of hemifacial microsomia types IIB and III. Orthodontics plays a very important role to correct postdistruction occlusal changes and to promote a balanced growth.Besides the impressive aesthetic and functional results obtained in most cases, undoubtedly, the simultaneous expansion of the overlying soft tissues is the mayor advantage of this technique when it is compared with conventional osteotomies.With this clinical experience in the mandible using distraction osteogenesis, we confirm the farewell to major osteotomies to treat a wide range of deformities of this sophisticate anatomic structure.