Objective: Alveolar distraction is a relatively novel procedure by which alveolar bone and underlying mucosa are regenerated. The low predictability of other vertical or horizontal bone regeneration methods has increased interest in this promising technique. This article was designed to review published clinical and experimental results on alveolar distraction, including basic research in other disciplines (maxillofacial and orthopedic distraction) related to or with influence on alveolar distraction.
Study design: A review of the international literature was performed to summarize results of clinical and experimental studies on alveolar distraction and on distraction at other anatomical sites that contribute important findings on tissue biology, molecular mechanisms, and other factors that influence and participate in the alveolar distraction process.
Results: Research into alveolar distraction has addressed the latency phase, distraction phase, and consolidation phase, yielding highly variable results. Little experimental research has been carried out on this procedure, and most publications are clinical studies with a short follow-up period. Published studies have reported a high rate of complications, attributable to our current lack of understanding of the process.
Conclusions: Definitive conclusions on alveolar distraction are hampered by the lack of clinical and experimental studies to date. Greater knowledge of the factors that influence the distraction process will lead to a more predictable and efficacious distraction technique and a better distractor design.