Distraction Osteogenesis to Treat the Sequel of Early Undiagnosed Childhood Trauma

Abstract

Summary: Undiagnosed trauma to the condylar head can later cause growth deficits secondary to mechanical restrictions created by scarring and loss of motion. This case illustrates how through a multidisciplinary team effort, distraction osteogenesis was successfully used with a hybrid functional appliance to correct a mandibular asymmetry caused by early undiagnosed childhood trauma. An intra-oral distraction device was placed to lengthen the mandibular ramus and body. Following distraction, a hybrid functional orthodontic appliance was used during growth to correct the cant of the occlusal plane. The patient’s growth potential was advantageous in this case because it allowed for selective and controlled eruption on the deficient side using the hybrid functional appliance while impeding further vertical development on the left side by using a bite plane. This bite plane was serially reduced to achieve gradual eruption of the maxillary teeth and alveolar process. In this way, the patient’s own growth potential was harnessed to correct the maxillary cant, which, if left uncorrected, would have necessitated orthognathic surgery once skeletal growth was complete. Through liaison with the surgeon and the orthodontist, there was substantial improvement in facial symmetry and occlusion.