2003 Volume 28 Issue 3 Pages 261-270
This study observed craniofacial growth and evaluated the results of the treatment of median cleft lip and palate longitudinally. A case, a six-year-old girl with median cleft lip and palate, was treated orthodontically. Morphologic features of craniofacial skeleton and occlusion and the changes during treatment are presented in this report. The findings were as follows: 1. The maxilla was located po sterior and the maxillary dental arch was narrow, associated with anterior cross bite. The maxillary incisors adjacent to the median alveolar cleft showed mesial inclination and rotation.2. Orthodontic treatme nt was performed with an expansion appliance in the first stage, with an orthopedic appliance in the second stage and with a multi-bracket appliance in the third stage.3. A fter orthodontic treatment, the anteroposterior relationship between the maxilla and mandible remained skeletal Class III and the occlusal relationship was stable.4 After retention, relapse was not found These findings suggest that the use of a maxillary protractor and mandibular retractor controlled mandibular growth and kept skeletal proportional balances with median cleft lip and palate
