Maxillofacial intraoral distraction osteogenesis followed by elastic traction in cleft maxillary deformity

We present a case of severe maxillary hypoplasia in a 16 years old cleft patient treated by distraction osteogenesis maxillary advancement. Initial evaluation showed vertical and antero-posterior maxillary deficiencies, and a Class III malocclusion. Two intraoral distractors (Zurich Pediatric Maxillary Distractor, KLS Martin, Tuttlingen, Germany) were placed in a high Le Fort I osteotomy. An initial advancement of 11 mm was obtained, but the resulting occlusion was unsatisfactory (end-to-end occlusion). The consolidation period was reduced to 3 weeks to allow the mechanical manipulation of the newly formed bone with Class III elastics. An additional advancement of 3 mm, caused by elastic orthodontic traction produced both normal skeletal relationship and satisfactory occlusion. This observation shows that it is possible to carry on a skeletal maxillary displacement by interdental elastics before the complete fusion of the callus. After 12 months of postoperative follow-up no osseous relapse could be detected and the occlusal result was stable.