A case of maxillary deficiency treated by bone maxillary distraction osteogenesis before sagittal split ramus osteotomy

Maxillary distraction osteogenesis is an important technique to treat maxillary hypoplasia. Recently, the novel technique of maxillary distraction with a rigid external distraction device (RED system) was proposed by Polley and Figueroa. This technique involves gradual advancement of the maxilla after Le Fort I osteotomy.We successfully treated an 18-year-old man who had maxillary deficiency with a hyperplastic mandible by both maxillary distraction and sagittal split ramus osteotomy. The maxillary incisors had been severely retroclined. The patient had bilateral cross-bite, a 20-mm anterior cross-bite, and class III molar occlusion.This report describes our treatment of the patient with the use of an external, adjustable, rigid distraction device.