Open AccessInterdisciplinary Treatment of an Adolescent with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Author(s) -
Adusumilli Sp,
P Sudhakar,
B Mummidi,
Reddy Kv,
Rao Ch,
Raju Bh
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the journal of contemporary dental practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.3
H-Index - 43
ISSN - 1526-3711
DOI - 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-1323
Subject(s) - medicine , dentistry , orthodontics , hypodontia , orthognathic surgery , palatoplasty , clinical significance , anterior teeth , masticatory force , dental arch
Aim The present case report describes the importance of interdisciplinary approach and gives an understanding on management of an adolescent with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Background Failure of fusion between medial nasal process and maxillary process or between the palatal process leads to the formation of clefts. Clefts are result of genetic or environmental factors or a combination of both. Common dental problems associated with clefts includes anterior and posterior crossbites, hypodontia, malformation and abnormal eruption pattern. Case report A girl, aged 15 years reported with a chief complaint of unesthetic appearance of her maxillary anterior teeth. She had unilateral cleft lip and palate and had received cheiloplasty and palatoplasty when she was in young age and rhinoplasty when she was 14 years of age. At pretreatment evaluation, she had concave profile with maxillary arch constriction and oroantral fistula and mesially tipped maxillary left canine. Conclusion This patient's treatment was unconventional, but it was successful in significantly improving her masticatory function and smile, along with favorable dental and facial results. Generalized esthetics and function were significantly improved in this patient without orthognathic surgery, and treatment results were stable 3 years after the appliance removal. Clinical considerations, sequencing of treatment phases as shown in this case report can be utilized while treating an adolescent with cleft lip and palate. Clinical significance If the skeletal discrepancy is mild and esthetic concerns are minimal, dental compensation by orthodontic treatment alone might be recommended. The cephalometric analysis and prediction tracings provide further information for deciding whether a patient can be treated by orthodontics alone, or by orthodontics and an orthognathic surgical procedure. A change in axial inclination of the teeth can camouflage the skeletal relationship adequately. However, one should be cautious in a growing patient, because he or she might outgrow the dental correction so that ultimately skeletal surgery would be indicated. How to cite this article Adusumilli SP, Sudhakar P, Mummidi B, Reddy KVB, Rao CHH, Raju BHVRK. Interdisciplinary Treatment of an Adolescent with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate. J Contemp Dent Pract 2013;14(2):332-338.