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The authors describe a new technique for reconstruction of mandibular body defects. The feasibility of distraction osteogenesis with submerged (internal) devices for reconstruction of segmental mandibular defects is investigated in an experiment with five adult dogs. A segmental mandibulectomy was performed on the horizontal ramus. The bony defect was regenerated using distraction osteogenesis (bone transport) at a rate of 1 mm daily. The animals were killed after the consolidation period. Complete bone regeneration of the surgically created gap was successful in three of five dogs. Two animals failed to create new bone. In these two cases, the screws did not offer proper stability to the bony fragments, and this caused a lack of ossification. This experimental study demonstrates the possibility to use internal distraction devices to reconstruct segmental mandibular defects in a canine model. Internal devices show enormous advantages in comparison with the external ones. This method with no donor-site morbidity may become a very useful option in human mandibular reconstruction.

M etastatic carcinoma of the jaws is uncommon.Frequencies on record range from 1% to 8%. 1 Kidney tumors are found in 16% of the cases. 2 In most cases, the metastases in the oral cavity are detected in patients with no malignant process, but in 20% the metastasis may be the first indication of an occult malignancy. 3 The symptoms produced by metastases in the oral cavity are usually swelling, pain, bleeding, loose teeth, or decreased sensitivity. However, biopsies should be performed in all cases for the diagnosis. 2

Since 1893, when Carl Garréa 1 described the features of the sclerosing osteomyelitis, few reports have been published. This is a rather rare disease also named periostitis ossificans, nonsuppurative chronic osteomyelitis, and chronic osteomyelitis with proliferative periostitis. It is defined as an intense proliferation of periosteum with reactive peripheral bone formation caused by a slight irritation or infection without necrosis or purulent exudate. 2

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