Facial disharmony can range in terms of form, size and shape of tooth and/ or jaws. Functional disharmony creates inability to chew, speak properly and can potentially interfere with normal breathing process. Aesthetic aspect includes loss of self-confidence and social isolation.

The treatment of children with facial deformities has advanced at a rapid pace over the past two decades.

Distraction osteogenesis can be used to lengthen the lower jaw. It also finds uses in the following:

i. Correcting anterior-posterior deformity of the jaws

ii. Trauma reconstruction

iii. Cancer reconstruction

iv. Craniofacial syndromes

v. To widen the jaws to correct teeth crowding

vi. Asymmetry corrections

vii. Increasing bone width and height of teeth bearing region of upper or lower jaw for dental implants

viii. Previously failed bone graft sites

ix. When available donor bone is insufficient

x. When patient is not an ideal candidate for bone grafting