Distraction osteogensis: a surgical option for restoring missing tissue in the anterior esthetic zone.

Common causes of alveolar defects include bone resorption due to loss of teeth, infection, or trauma. There is often insufficient height or width of residual bone, and ridge augmentation may be required prior to implant placement. These defects range from small alveolar deficiencies to more complex, extensive bony defects. Various techniques are available for reconstructing alveolar ridges. Without augmentation, dental implants may have to be placed in anatomically unfavorable positions or have adverse angulations. These position/angulation compromises can lead to esthetic dissatisfaction, mechanical overload, and possibly implant loss. Both bone grafting and distraction osteogenesis are predictable methods for restoring missing tissue.