Work

Vertical Control and Reduction of a Functional Mandibular Shift in Severe Class III Malocclusion With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Severe skeletal Class III malocclusion in repaired cleft lip and palate (CLP) may include fixed maxillary deficiency and a functional mandibular shift. A 15-year-old girl with unilateral complete CLP underwent staged nonsurgical treatment using posterior bite blocks, maxillary alignment, mandibular second-premolar extraction, and sequential unilateral posterior vertical elastics. Positive overjet and overbite, Class I posterior relationships, and profile improvement were achieved, while ANB changed only from -5.67° to -5.15°. The result represents dentoalveolar and functional camouflage, not skeletal correction. At 12 months, clinical examination and photographs showed short-term occlusal maintenance; no quantitative or radiographic retention measurements were obtained.

Source: The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal

DOI: 10.1177/10556656261479589

Authors: Yiming Xu, Wenqi Deng, Jiaxin Yu, Zhen Huang

Institution: Nanchang University

Language: English

Topic: Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Subfield: Orthodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,150