Block M S, Cervini D, Chang A, Gottsegen G B
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, New Orleans, USA.
J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1995 May;53(5):561-5. doi: 10.1016/0278-2391(95)90069-1.
This study used the principle of distraction osteogenesis to advance the anterior maxilla of the dog using a totally tooth-supported distraction device.
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.
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.
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.