ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to evaluate linear and volumetric alveolar changes induced by nasoalveolar molding (NAM) in infants with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and compare the maxillary dimensions after NAM with the normal dimensions in infants without clefts. METHODS: A total of 26 infants with UCLP treated by NAM (mean age before and after NAM: 14.20 ± 8.09 days and 118.16 ± 10.06 days, respectively) comprised the treatment group, while 26 infants without clefts (mean age: 115.81 ± 8.71 days) comprised the control group. Changes in the maxillary dimensions following NAM were measured on three-dimensional models using Mimics software, version 17.0. RESULTS: During NAM, there was a decrease in the cleft widths, maxillary arch depths, and rotation of the greater segment. While the anterior alveolar arch width exhibited a significant decrease, the posterior arch width was mostly maintained. There were no changes in the anterior vertical deviations of the alveolar segments. The alveolar crest lengths, arch circumference, and bilateral posterior volumetric measures exhibited an increase. After NAM, the anterior arch width was comparable between the treatment and control groups, whereas the posterior arch width and anterior vertical deviations were greater in the treatment group than in the control group. The maxillary arch depths, alveolar crest lengths, and maxillary volumes were smaller in the NAM group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: During NAM in infants with UCLP, the cleft width and anteroposterior and transverse alveolar dimensions exhibited a decrease while the vertical dimensions were maintained. Compared with infants without clefts, those with UCLP treated by NAM exhibited sagittal and vertical alveolar growth deficiencies and tissue insufficiency.
ABSTRACT
A 22-year-old woman with severe skeletal Class II malocclusion was referred to our clinic. A clinical examination revealed a convex soft tissue profile and increased teeth and gingiva exposure both while smiling and in the natural rest position. She had Class II molar and canine relationship with increased overjet, moderate crowding in both upper and lower jaws, and proclined upper and lower incisors. Skeletally, she showed transverse maxillary deficiency, maxillary vertical excess, and mandibular retrognathia. We planned orthodontic-orthognathic surgery with multipiece Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) to achieve ideal occlusion, stability, and facial esthetics. During orthodontic decompensation to relieve the crowding and to gain an ideal incisor inclination, four bicuspid extractions were performed. Because we used continuous mechanics, at the end of the decompensation period, we cut the maxillary arch wire distal to the lateral incisors into three pieces and waited for 3 months for vertical and transversal dental relapse. During the double jaw surgical procedure, the maxilla expanded and impacted with multisegmented Le Fort I osteotomy and the mandible advanced with BSSO. After the orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment, the skeletal and dental imbalance was corrected, and functional occlusion and dental and skeletal Class I relationship were achieved. The treatment results were stable at the 1-year follow-up.
