ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT OF A CLEFT-PALATE PATIENT WITH SURGICALLY ASSISTED RAPID MAXILLARY EXPANSION

Some adult cleft palate patients show severe maxillary transverse cont raction and posterior crossbite, This case report demonstrates success ful surgical-orthodontic treatment of such a patient. Surgically assis ted rapid maxillary expansion (SA-RME) was completed prior to comprehe nsive orthodontic treatment, The osteotomy was performed on both the b uccal and lingual aspects of the posterior maxillary alveolus, A Hyrax -type maxillary-expansion appliance was used, and the screw (0.2 mm, o ne quarter turn) was turned two or three times per day, Comprehensive orthodontic treatment was initiated after extraction of the mandibular first premolars and four third molars,The maxillary lateral incisors were also extracted after active orthodontic treatment. The amount of expansion achieved using SA-RME was greater at the posterior than at t he anterior maxilla. Midpalatal suture opening occurred, After orthodo ntic treatment, occlusal stability was satisfactory, This case demonst rates the effectiveness of SA-RME in adult cleft palate patients with severe posterior crossbite.