Anterior maxillary advancement using tooth-supported distraction osteogenesis.

Objective: This study used the principle of distraction osteogenesis to advance the anterior maxilla of the dog using a totally tooth-supported distraction device.

Methods: After an anterior maxillary osteotomy, the distraction device was activated 0.5 mm every 12 hours to advance the anterior segment 10 mm in 10 days.

Results: Serial tooth and radiographic measurements indicated that on the 10th day the average tooth advancement was 8.4 mm +/- 1.5 mm and the average skeletal advancement was 4.0 mm +/- 1.5 mm. After 6 weeks the average tooth advancement was 7.2 +/- 1.6 mm and the average skeletal advancement was 3 +/- 1.3 mm. At 3 months the tooth advancement was 6.2 +/- 1.5 mm and at 6 months the tooth advancement was 5.0 +/- 1.1 mm. Bone healing was present in all animals.

Conclusions: This results of this study indicate that a tooth-borne maxillary distraction device will result in significantly greater dental movement than skeletal movement and that skeletal fixation may be needed for appliances used to advance the maxilla.