Simultaneous maxillary and mandibular distraction osteogenesis with a semiburied device.

Distraction osteogenesis is a technique utilizing natural healing mechanisms to generate new bone; it is commonly used to lengthen the hypoplastic mandible. Distraction of the maxilla and mandible as a unit is an obvious extension of the technique. We describe the application of a semiburied distractor to simultaneously lengthen the mandible and maxilla and level a canted occlusal plane in three cases. The indications for bimaxillary distraction are reviewed, including its advantages, disadvantages and limitations.