[Orthodontic treatment in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients with crossbite]

Serious malocclusion is often seen in the cleft lip and palate patients. Orthodontic treatment is very complex and difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the treatment in this kind of the patients through the clinical treatment of the thirty-two patients. We conclude (1) Many patients need alveolar bone grafting in order to award good arch form and occlusion. (2) It need longer time in expanding of the upper arch and retaining. (3) Main changes after treatment of edgewise appliance took place in dental-alveolar region. (4) 34.3% of the patients need orthognathic surgery to improve their profile. So it indicated that reverse headgear should be used in the early time for the cleft patients to get a good treatment result.