Abstract

SINGH, S. Localised "vertical relapse" following orthodontic correction in young growing patients with cleft lip/ palate: Case studies potentially leading to a revision of the retention protocol. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2017, vol.72, n.6, pp.266-270. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2017/v72no6a4.

Vertical dental relapse following orthodontic treatment has been observed in growing cleft lip and palate patients who had been treated at a Cleft Centre in Kwa-Zulu Natal. It appears that such relapse may occur in those who had had alveolar bone grafts in the cleft area and that it takes place at a time coinciding with the eruption of the maxillary canines. This communication is based on case studies of patients who presented three different types of clefts. All the grafts had been taken from the iliac crest. The observations may indicate a need for an in-depth study to investigate whether teeth erupt normally through iliac crest bone grafts in cleft patients. Confirmation of an altered eruption pattern may indicate a need for a change in retention protocol.

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