Special features of planning and application of orthodontic miniscrews in cleft patients

Patients with clefts of lip, alveolus and palate or some facial syndromes need complex and long-lasting orthodontic therapy. The possibility of orthodontic anchorage is often limited by congenital absence of teeth, disturbed skeletal growth or failing compliance with extraoral sources of force. Correct positioning and insertion provided, miniscrews can serve as anchorages and shorten the period of active treatment in patients with clefts. With the help of a case presentation, an outline of using orthodontic miniscrews (like: Titan, Forestadent) for anchorage in patients with clefts of lip, alveolus and palate is given along with a discussion of advantages and disadvantages. Thus miniscrews are suited for use in cleft patients. However, they require careful orthodontic and surgical planning.