Three-dimensional sutural expansion osteogenesis to expand zygomatic bone: an experimental study

Sutural expansion osteogenesis was used to extend zygomatic bone three-dimensionally by the formation of new bone in eight goats. A 3 cm incision without osteomy was made in the infraorbital part of the zygomatic bone. The external expansion appliance was then placed on the zygomatic bone. The expansion appliance was activated 10 days after the operation at a rate of 0.9 mm/day for 10 days. The direction could be changed through turning the nuts and moving the brace boards. All the zygomatic bones were expanded anterosuperolaterally and inferolaterally by a mean of 9 mm (range 7.8–11.5 mm). The regenerating bone tissues in the distracted sutures were recorded radiographically, clinically, and histologically. The experiment succeeded in expanding the zygoma quickly. The three-dimensional external expansion appliance was simple to operate. The result of sutural expansion osteogenesis is stable and credible, and the method is feasible.