Treatment of alveolar cleft with distraction osteogenesis using anchorage with a tooth–microimplant joint in a dog model

Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of correction of an alveolar cleft with distraction osteogenesis using anchorage with a tooth–microimplant joint in a canine model, which was established in 12 adult mongrel dogs that were subsequently randomised into two groups (n = 6 in each). The first group comprised dogs that had osteogenesis using anchorage with a tooth (tooth group), while in the second, anchorage with tooth–microimplant joint (microimplant group) was used. All animals were killed one month after completion of distraction. Samples were collected for gross observation and histological examination. There was a significant difference in the degree of movement of the anchorage teeth in the transport discs between the 2 groups (p < 0.01). There was less prominent inclination and shift of the natural teeth in the transport disc and less bony resorption around the root in the microimplant group than in the tooth group. These changes were less remarkable in the microimplant group. Treatment of alveolar cleft by distraction osteogenesis using anchorage with a tooth–microimplant joint is practical, and yields better results.