Maxillary alveolar ridge is part of the jaw, which once has supported teeth.
When teeth are lost for a variety of reasons, the jaw ridge can atrophy horizontally and vertically. A vertical jaw atrophy is reversed by applying the distraction osteogenesis method – slow bone stretching.
Reasons for low jaw ridge:
- Over time, with the loss of teeth, the bone that used to support the teeth begins to melt. If the bone surrounding the tooth was healthy, then after tooth extraction the bone will dissolve slightly, but in most cases, unhealthy teeth are already surrounded with bones partially dissolved because of periodontal disease; and after extraction the resorption accelerates.
- If the patient is using the removable dentures for more than five years, there is a high likelihood that the jaw ridge will be significantly atrophied because removable dentures are pressing the jaw ridge.
The purpose of maxillary alveolar distraction osteogenesis is a surgical jaw ridge height restoration using the slow bone traction principle.
Course of surgery.
Jaw ridge distraction osteogenesis is a surgical procedure performed under local anaesthesia, therefore the patient does not feel any pain.
In the jaw defect area the bone segment is separated from the rest of the jaw and is slowly lifted up using a special distraction device, regenerating a new bone tissue.
Over time, the newly formed bone tissue ossifies. This way is used to obtain the required height of the jaw ridge, suitable for implantation. This method has been widely used for a decade in maxillofacial surgery.
It is unique in that it restores the jaw ridge volume and height without using bone from other donor parts – the jaw is “cheated” by applying the known biological principles of bone healing.
Upon completion of bone stretching, it is necessary to wait for about 4 months until the new bone solidifies. Then, the implantation becomes possible.
After the jaw ridge distraction osteogenesis:
- metal parts of the stretching device are visible in the oral cavity; it is used to manage – to control the bone stretching process;
- swelling of the face can be seen for about a week;
- when the effect of painkillers sites, the operated area starts aching but the pain is not strong and can be easily controlled with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- at the beginning of the second week the distraction device activation begins;
- if possible, you should schedule two weeks of sick leave after the surgery;
- you should not smoke for at least a few days;
- restricting in physical activity;
- patients should not chew with the operated side for 3-4 weeks;
- it is not advised to leave the country for at least two weeks.
