Management of Protruding Premaxilla in Bilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate Using an Intraoral Orthodontic Appliance: A Case Report

Abstract

Protruding premaxilla is common in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate. A 4-year-old patient with protruding premaxilla and an overjet of 10.3 mm following cleft lip repair was treated using an intraoral removable orthodontic appliance with intra-maxillary traction, supplemented by lip-closure exercises. After 2 months of treatment, the results demonstrated retracted premaxilla, reducing the anterior overjet to within normal limits, enhanced lip-closure at rest, and improved canine relationship and midline. The removable appliance yielded clinically satisfactory results for this patient, who had missed orthopedic treatments or exhibited suboptimal orthopedic outcomes during neonatal period.