In some cases doctors can use a distraction technique. The jaw bone is cut and slightly separated. The body grows new bone to fill in the space. Each day, pins or screws push the bones apart again, generating continued bone growth. The procedure is stopped and the bone allowed to completely heal when the jaw bone reaches the desired size.
Early surgery is important for the child to develop a normal, functioning jaw.
Ten years ago, Mansoor Madani, D.M.D., an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, performed jaw reconstruction on a little boy born without a jaw on the left side of his face. The rib cartilage turned into jaw bone, growing at the same rate as the normal bone on the right side. The boy also developed a normal jaw joint and never needed any other procedures, such as braces or more surgery. On the other hand, some children are born with too much jaw bone, causing the jaw or chin to protrude. This condition is more common than microsomia.