Impact of rapid maxillary expansion in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients after secondary alveolar bone grafting: review and case report

The purpose of this article was to analyze the effects and short-term stability of rapid maxillary expansion performed after secondary alveolar bone grafting in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients. Two UCLP patients with severe maxillary constriction who had previous bone grafting were involved in this study. A hyrax rapid expansion appliance was placed on 4 abutment teeth and activated twice daily. An opening of the midpalatal suture was found on the posttreatment occlusal radiographs, which was clinically confirmed by the diastema. Posteroanterior cephalometric tracing analysis demonstrated significant increases in maxillary and dental arch width. No obvious radiographic alteration was observed in the grafted areas.