An endosseous distractor, also known as an intraosseous distractor, is a distraction device placed into the edentulous ridge and/or basal bone of the maxilla or mandible used in distraction osteogenesis. Distraction osteogenesis is a process whereby a short bone is made into a longer one through a slow separation process. This process involves surgically cutting a bone then placing a distractor between the two new pieces. The distractor slowly and gently pulls the bone apart, allowing for the growth of new bone in between the existing pieces, thereby creating a longer bone out of what was originally a shorter one. Though the process sounds uncomfortable, osteogenesis is not painful. An endosseous distractor and distraction osteogenesis is used to correct a variety of craniofacial syndromes and is often used for treating children and teenagers. The type of distractor used and the length of time it is required depends upon the syndrome being treated.