A distraction assembly system with fully-customized fixation plate unit and factory-manufactured distraction unit: Overview and accuracy validation for mandibular distraction osteogenesis

Abstract

A distraction assembly system (DAS), consisting of a distractor of fully individualized fixation plate unit and factory-engineered distraction unit, was recently developed to enhance the accuracy, stability, and workability of distraction osteogenesis (DO). We here wanted to evaluate the accuracy of DAS for mandibular DO, focusing on the consequences of the distractor design and manufacturing method. The bar-type distractor unit showed smaller discrepancies than did the cylinder-type one, both units showing far fewer discrepancies than those of a conventional distractor. And there were no significant differences in morphological accuracy between the plates produced by milling and 3D printing. These accuracies feature the promising application in clinical setting, and further work is anticipated to refine DAS for successful computer-aided DO.