Canine Replacement for Lateral Incisor in Patient with Cleft lip and Palate: a case report

Abstract

Background and Objective :   A case of Thai female patient, aged 12 years old, pre3sented with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. She had Angle Class III with anterior crossbite on mild skeletal Class III openbite pattern. Her maxillary left lateral incisor was embedded in the cleft site and exhibited a peg-shape while that on the right side was normal.

Methods : Treatment plans included alveolar bone grafting and removal of maxillary left lateral incisor and first premolars on other quadrants, followed by orthodontic space closure with maxillary left canine to substitute lateral incisor on that side.

Results : The treatment resulted in an acceptable occlusion, Angle Class I on both sides, elimination of the dental crossbite, and a satisfactory esthetics without the need of prosthesis.

Conclusion : Maxillary canine substitution for lateral incisor is one of the possible treatment options for cleft patient with missing or amomalies of permanent lateral incisor.  This avoids prosthesis replacement and also improves patient’s psychological condition.

Keywords: orthodontic space closure, peg-shape lateral incisor, cleft lip and palate