This study focused on the long-term evaluation of velopharyngeal closure（VPC）in patients with submucous cleft palate（SMCP）who were diagnosed and treated during early childhood.
　　Subjects：Seven SMCP patients were treated surgically, and all were free from other complications. Five patients underwent only Furlow’s double opposing Z plasty （Furlow plasty), and the other two received Furlow plasty and pharyngeal flap simultaneously.
　　Results：Although all patients showed improvement of VPC after the surgery, some showed a gradual decline of VPC at around 10 years old. All had received speech therapy and showed improvement of speech language, but the progress of articulation among the patients was variable.
　　Conclusion：SMCP tends to be diagnosed later compared with other types of cleft palate, and the age at surgery is considered to be one of the important factors determining VPC and speech language improvement. Thus, if a patient is around 6 years old and suffers from poor VPC and /or articulation problems, it is recommended to initiate appropriate treatment as soon as possible. Furthermore, it is important to continually follow-up patients in order not to miss VPC declines throughout the growth period.

　　Orbital blowout fractures often involve limitations in superior and inferior rotations due to inferior rectus muscle paralysis. However, strabismus caused by inferior oblique muscle paralysis is rarely reported as a primary symptom. We present the case of a 62-year-old man with an orbital blowout fracture and strabismus caused by inferior oblique muscle paralysis. The fracture line was proximal to the muscle’s origin, suggesting possible interference with the muscle and surrounding swollen tissue. Owing to severe diplopia, ocular motility disorder without improvement, and the unaffected ophthalmus overaction (identified on the preoperative Hess chart), we suspected inferior oblique muscle entrapment and performed orbital fracture surgery on the 9th day after the injury. The surgery successfully corrected the entrapment and improved the strabismus. Further studies are needed to clarify optimal indications and the timing of surgery in such cases.

　　Odontogenic keratocysts have a high recurrence rate. Rarely, they can become malignant. Hence, total resection is more desirable than fenestration alone. Malocclusion problems, such as the tilting of adjacent teeth and extrusion of the opposing teeth due to missing permanent teeth, may occur after resecting an odontogenic keratocyst, including the impacted permanent teeth. To address these problems, orthodontic and prosthetic treatment is often necessary. This case report described a patient who was referred to the oral surgery department of our hospital for the management of an odontogenic keratocyst located in the left mandible. After surgery, the patient consulted our department (orthodontics) with the chief complaint of malocclusion. During the odontogenic keratocyst resection, three teeth (the left mandibular lateral incisor canine, and first premolar) were extracted. At the initial orthodontic consultation, the patient presented wearing a partial denture over the affected site. Dental implants following the completion of growth have been planned. Intraorally, the teeth adjacent to the extraction sites were tilted, and malalignment of the anterior teeth was evident. We decided to proceed with orthodontic treatment. The treatment plan included uprighting the left mandibular molar and extracting the maxillary first premolars on both sides to improve the waxillary anterior teeth relationship. A pontic made with instant polymerizing resin was attached to the left mandibular space after tooth extraction and adjusted as the treatment progressed. Functionally and aesthetically favorable results were obtained, while the patient continued to wait for future implant treatment.

　　In recent years, affordable 3D printers have gained popularity. We acquired an economical model from an online platform and assessed its suitability for 3D modeling involving the maxillofacial region. The printer, priced at 13,000 yen, operates based on the FDM method, featuring a 10×10-cm size and 0.4-mm nozzle diameter. We generated models representing the nasal, ear, and mandibular areas. All models exhibited ample precision for preoperative evaluation, showcasing commendable performance despite the low price point. While there is room for improvement in terms of durability and usability, this budget-friendly 3D printer is satisfactory for modeling anatomical structures and has broad potential for educational purposes. We will elucidate the fundamental knowledge essential for utilizing 3D printers and showcase models applicable to the field of plastic surgery. Although the widespread clinical application of 3D printers is anticipated in the future, we advocate their use for educational purposes and provide an overview of their potential applications.