For years there was one main solution to repair the bone after some breaks or because of deformity. Bone grafting was the way to go. In recent years, a second choice has emerged, and it is a choice that has had a lot of success. The new procedure is known as distraction osteogenesis, and it is replacing bone grafting in many facial and other surgeries.
Bone Grafting
Bones usually regenerate well after an injury. With bone grafting, a piece of bone is taken from elsewhere in the body, and then it is placed where the healing is needed. The bone will then regenerate and graft together, making it like one bone. It is a complicated surgery.
Distraction Osteogenesis
Distraction osteogenesis uses the body’s power of regeneration in a different way. The bone is slowly split, and then the body will cause the regeneration to happen between the two pieces. You will literally grow more bone to fill the gap.
In many cases, distraction osteogenesis is preferred over bone grafting. It is a much simpler procedure, and the healing time can be shorter. Distraction osteogenesis is also preferred for facial and oral surgeries, because we will be able to work with what is right there. No extra bone is needed.
Distraction osteogenesis has been around since the early 1990s, and it is becoming a more popular procedure. It could have a shorter healing time than bone grafting, and the surgery could take less time. If you need facial surgery, we would be more than happy to go over all of your options with you.
In some cases, we might still recommend bone grafting, but do not be surprised if we tell you about distraction osteogenesis as well. It is our goal to help you through the surgery and give you the results that we all desire.