The rationale:
Mandibular resections involve esthetic and functional impairment and impose a challenge during the reconstruction. This case report is a successful reconstruction with distraction osteogenesis (DO) and customized temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prosthesis.
Patient concerns:
A 51-year-old male patient presented with a complaint of facial asymmetry, mastication, and speech difficulties.
Diagnosis:
As the patient had undergone a hemimandibulectomy procedure 20 years ago, clinical examination showed facial asymmetry. Radiographic examination exhibited the defect and a radiopaque image representing Kirschner's wire.
Treatment:
DO by bone transport was performed, followed by dental implant and TMJ prosthesis placement.
Outcomes:
DO is a viable treatment option in resections, even when the defect was generated by an ancient injury. The follow-up is around 7 years after the osteogenic distraction, with no complaints and functional capacity.
Take-away lessons:
The major challenge in mandibular reconstructions through DO is to reproduce the curve of the arch.