Course Objectives

    Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to:

• Review the evolution of craniofacial distraction osteogenesis
• Understand the biological foundation of new bone formation under influence of gradual traction forces and their effect on surrounding soft tissues and joints
• Understand the biomechanical implication of device orientation during distraction osteogenesis techniques
• Perform three-dimensional preoperative planning of osteotomy and subsequent lengthening and/or widening
• Learn the clinical parameters of the distraction process and their effect on new bone formation
• Determine general and specific indications for clinical applications of distraction osteogenesis techniques
• Integrate orthodontics, distraction osteogenesis, and orthognatic surgery
• Evaluate clinical outcomes of cases treated with different distraction osteogenesis techniques
• Appreciate the potential complications of distraction osteogenesis and how they might be treated and prevented