Review of physical stimulation techniques for assisting distraction osteogenesis in maxillofacial reconstruction applications

•Physical stimulation techniques could successfully assist the bone tissue regeneration during distraction osteogenesis.•Physical stimulation techniques could improve the quality of the formed bone tissue and induce bone healing mechanisms.•Animal studies have proved the positive effects of applying physical stimulation techniques during distraction osteogenesis.•The application of physical stimulation techniques during treatment has different impacts on bone healing mechanisms.