Orthodontic considerations for maxillary distraction osteogenesis in growing patients with cleft lip and palate using internal distractors.

The orthodontist plays a key role in the selection of the optimal treatment for patients followed by a craniofacial team. For patients with cleft lip and palate, the need for multidisciplinary treatment planning and sequentially staged treatment is essential for successful patient outcomes. The technique of Le Fort I distraction osteogenesis of the maxilla using an internal device is potentially a predictable, stable, and convenient option for the correction of severe maxillary hypoplasia. It is an alternative option for treatment of maxillary hypoplasia in growing patients. In this article, the authors describe the orthodontist's approach to the management of cleft patients with severe maxillary deficiency with the use of an internal distraction device. The information is presented with a focus on the clinical aspects of treatment, using case illustrations and appropriate literature.

Expansão rápida da maxila: avaliação de dois métodos de reconstrução 3D por meio de um modelo laboratorial / Rapid maxillary expansion: evaluation of two methods of 3D reconstruction by means of a laboratorial model

OBJETIVO: a proposta deste artigo é apresentar um modelo laboratorial para aquisição de imagens tomográficas para avaliação tridimensional do procedimento de expansão rápida da maxila (ERM). MÉTODOS: o procedimento de expansão rápida da maxila foi realizado em crânio seco e os exames foram executados em tomógrafo de alta resolução e em tomógrafo de feixe cônico, antes e depois da ERM. RESULTADOS: as imagens obtidas a partir do crânio seco, tomografia computadorizada multislice (TC) e tomografia volumétrica (CBCT) produziram resultados semelhantes para avaliação da abertura da sutura palatina mediana. CONCLUSÃO: a utilização de cortes tomográficos, adquiridos tanto por meio de tomógrafo computadorizado de alta resolução quanto por meio da técnica cone beam, possibilitou a reconstrução 3D da maxila com objetivo de oferecer a real avaliação da abertura intermaxilar.

OBJECTIVE: This paper proposes to present a laboratorial model for acquisition of tomographic images for three-dimensional evaluation of the rapid maxillary expansion procedure. METHODS: The procedure of rapid maxillary expansion was developed using a dry skull and the images were acquired from a multi-slice tomography and a volumetric tomography. The examinations were taken prior to and after the ERM. RESULTS: The images acquired from the skull, multislice computed tomography (CT) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) had produced similar results. CONCLUSION: The use of tomographic slices, acquired by means of high resolution computerized tomography, as well as the cone beam technique, make possible the three-dimensional reconstruction of the palatomaxillary region in order to offer the real evaluation of the sutural opening.