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Super S. Alpha Omegan 2009; 102: 68–73

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) promotes the formation of new bone and its use may be indicated particularly where there is scarring and unfavourable muscular forces. Since the introduction of intraoral distractors, the applications for DO have increased 'beyond those in jaw and craniofacial abnormalities to include its use in the treatment of cleft palate patients, condylar regeneration, discontinuity defects of the mandible, and for ridge augmentation before the placement of implants'. The author illustrates an improved facial profile following the use of a customised intraoral distractor for a patient with clefting. This patient had previously received orthognathic surgery that had relapsed. The author also shows the use of DO for other patients with a range of deformities. For each patient the outcome is satisfactory. Based on these case studies, DO using intraoral distractors would appear an exciting treatment approach.