Severe dental malocclusion in a case of repaired unilateral cleft palate managed by orthodontic mechanotherapy alone

Abstract

Cleft palate is a developmental abnormality that perforates the palate, and divides the arch segments producing grave malocclusion. Crossbites, labiolingual displacements, rotations, archform distortion and incompatibility are a few facets characterizing the problem. Teeth may be congenitally missing or periodontally infirm in the vicinity of the breakdown. If the skeletal jaw base discrepancy is not major, orthognathic surgery may be omitted and orthodontic mechanics alone can suffice to manipulate the teeth into a decent occlusion. Restorative work for esthetic embellishment can enhance the overall result, particularly if teeth are malformed. This case report describes how severe dental malocclusion arising from a repaired unilateral cleft palate defect was corrected with a fixed preadjusted edgewise appliance, adorning smile esthetics and boosting the patient’s self-confidence.