A Survey of Orthodontic Treatment in Team Care for Patients With Syndromic Craniosynostosis in Japan

Abstract

Objective:

To understand the actual condition of orthodontic treatment in team care for patients with syndromic craniosynostosis (SCS) in Japan.

Design:

A nationwide collaborative survey.

Setting:

Twenty-four orthodontic clinics in Japan.

Patients:

A total of 246 patients with SCS.

Main Outcome Measure:

Treatment history was examined based on orthodontic records using common survey sheets.

Results:

Most patients first visited the orthodontic clinic in the deciduous or mixed dentition phase. Midface advancement was performed without visiting the orthodontic clinic in about a quarter of the patients, and more than a half of the patients underwent “surgery-first” midface advancement. First-phase orthodontic treatment was carried out in about a half of the patients, and maxillary expansion and protraction were performed. Tooth extraction was required in about two-thirds of patients, and the extraction of maxillary teeth was required in most patients. Tooth abnormalities were found in 37.8% of patients, and abnormalities of maxillary molars were frequently (58.3%) found in patients who had undergone midface surgery below the age of 6 years.

Conclusions:

Many patients underwent “surgery-first” midface advancement, and visiting the orthodontic clinic at least before advancement was considered desirable. First-phase orthodontic treatment should be performed considering the burden of care. Midface advancement below the age of 6 years had a high risk of injury to the maxillary molars. This survey is considered useful for improving orthodontic treatment in team care of patients with SCS.