Correction of midface deficiency using intra-oral distraction device.

A wide variety of disease processes produce alteration of midfacial skeletal growth, resulting in moderate-to-severe midface deficiency presenting as retrusion associated with Angle's class III malocclusion. Most cases of midface deficiency are seen in patients of cleft lip/palate. The surgical procedure to correct the clefts, undertaken over a long period of time from infancy to the teens tends to take its toll on the soft tissues over the midface. The scarring that is a feature in these conditions results in hampering of normal growth of the midface causing the deformity. Conventional procedures to correct the deformity by surgical advancement have been less than satisfactory in terms of success. This is where the concept of multidimensional growth using distraction proved useful. Today distraction has proved to be a versatile tool in the correction of midface deficiencies due to its various advantages. Six patients of cleft lip/palate were taken up for advancement of the hypoplastic midface using intra-oral distractors with successful and stable results.