title: Vertical distraction osteogenesis of the mandible applied to an iliac crest graft: report of a case.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This clinical case represents a particular application of vertical distraction osteogenesis of the mandible. The surgical technique was applied to an iliac crest bone graft previously positioned on an anterior mandibular defect with the aim to restore the vertical height after a partial resorption in a trauma patient.
  
  
  METHODS
  Distraction osteogenesis was applied because it was necessary to restore the mandibular height in a young male patient who presented with a post-trauma anterior mandibular bony deficiency. Because of the irregularity of the mandibular surface and the depth of the defect, the patient first underwent an iliac crest bone grafting that, after 3 months, showed partial resorption. Vertical distraction osteogenesis was performed on the grafted mandible in order to obtain a satisfactory bony height of the mandibular ridge. Then the patient was successfully rehabilitated by means of an implant-supported prosthesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vertical distraction osteogenesis appears to be a versatile surgical procedure, which can be applied as a secondary treatment in patients presenting with mandibular trauma sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Odontostomatology and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. pierfrancesco.nocini@univr.it
authors.forename: Pier Francesco
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Nocini
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albanese
authors.forename: Editta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Buttura da Prato
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Agostino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000293:injuries; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000601:surgery; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000473:pathology*; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants