title: Intraoral distraction osteogenesis to lengthen the ascending ramus. Experience with seven patients.
abstract: Seven children with facial asymmetry, mean age 12 years (range 11-14.5) were treated by intraoral distraction osteogenesis to lengthen the hypoplastic ramus. We achieved a mean increase in length of the ramus of 13mm (range 10-16). In only one patient did we achieve a posterior open bite on the distraction side. All patients ended with a symmetrical chin. It was helpful to place an orthodontic bite block on the opposite side either preoperatively or postoperatively to cant the plane of occlusion. The duration of follow-up was too short to allow conclusions to be drawn about the future requirement for bimaxillary osteotomies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. j.jansma@kchir.azg.nl
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jansma
authors.forename: Michiel W J
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Bierman
authors.forename: Alfred G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Becking
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction