title: Distraction osteogenesis for correction of mandibular abnormalities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Management of mandibular deformities is challenging. Distraction osteogenesis is a relatively new technique with promising results.
  
  
  METHODS
  We selected 12 patients. The osteotomy site decided was proximal to the antegonial notch. Latency time was five to seven days. Consolidation period was eight weeks in eleven cases and six weeks in one case.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all the patients, appreciable lengthening of mandible was achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The greatest advantage of distraction osteogenesis is growth of soft tissue along with the growth of hard tissue. This increases post operative stability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Rau, Indore, India.
authors.forename: Vinayak
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Karun
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics, College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Rau, Indore, India.
authors.forename: Navneet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Government Dental College, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Virendra
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Singh
keywords: Distraction osteogenesis; facial asymmetry; mandible lengthening