Rehabilitation of the chewing function of a patient depends on the quality and volume of the existing jawbone. Vertical augmentation of the jawbone is often a challenge for the dental surgeon. Various transplantation methods, from transplantation of autogenous bone to use of bone substitute material, have been described and discussed and are often controversial. Vertical distraction presents an alternative to preimplantation augmentation of vertically reduced bone. The technique offers certain advantages over conventional augmentative methods. Schlagwörter: alveolar process, distraction, implants, osteogenesis, vertical bone deficiency