Distraction Osteogenesis: Evolution and Contemporary Applications in Orthodontics

Orthodontic tooth movement is brought about by the biomechanical utilization of the physiological mechanisms for bone remodeling in order to achieve optimal occlusion and thereby maximize the esthetic outcome. Distraction osteogenesis is a biomechanical process of bone tissue formation, where the distraction forces which act between the bone segments effect the biological potential of the bone. Though initially used in long bones, through the past years the technique has undergone significant advancements and innovations, that it has had increasing applications in the facial skeleton. The gradual evolution of compact internal appliances has lately led to the use of this concept in the field of orthodontics for moving tooth segments rapidly for an accelerated treatment outcome, and for novel modalities in the treatment of ankylosed teeth. This article is presented under the light of current literature to review the history, evolution and role of distraction in contemporary orthodontics.