José Fernando Scarelli Lopes

Cleft palate obturation with Brånemark protocol implant-supported fixed denture and removable obturator.

A 41-year-old man with cleft palate presented with a wide dehiscence and missing teeth. Six implants had been placed for fabrication of an overdenture, which was unsatisfactory. A bar was waxed and cast for connection to the implants; precision attachments were placed laterally for retention. A fixed partial denture was fabricated, and milled crowns were fabricated at the molar region to provide a guiding plane for insertion of a removable palatal obturator. Good swallowing and speech outcomes were achieved. This technique provided functional and esthetic benefits, enhanced oral hygiene, and improved the psychological condition of the patient.

A modified approach for vestibuloplasty in severely resorbed mandible using an implant-retained postoperative stent: a case report

BACKGROUND Severely resorbed mandibles often present a short band of keratinized tissue associated with a shallow vestibule. As a result, prominent muscle insertions are present, especially in the mental region of the mandible. This case report describes the deepening of the vestibular sulcus in an atrophic mandible by combining free gingival grafts harvested from the palate and a postoperative acrylic resin stent screwed on osseointegrated implants placed at the anterior region of the mandible. STUDY DESIGN During the second-stage surgery, a split-thickness labial flap was reflected and apically sutured onto the periosteum. Two free gingival grafts were obtained and then sutured at this recipient site. A previously custom-made acrylic stent was then screwed onto the most distally positioned implants. To document the procedures stability over time, a metal ball was placed in the most apical part of the vestibule and standardized cephalometric radiographs were taken before and 6 months after the procedure. Linear measurements of vestibular depths over the observation time were realized using specific software for radiographic analysis. RESULTS The proposed technique augmented the band of attached masticatory mucosa, deepened the vestibule and prevented the muscle reinsertion. The difference between the 2 measurements of vestibular depths was 9.39 mm (initial 20.88 mm, final 11.49 mm) after a 6-month postoperative period. CONCLUSION The technique, in combination with palatal mucosal graft and use of a postoperative stent, decreased the pull of mentalis muscle and provided a peri-implantally stable soft tissue around implants.

Interrelationship between implant and orthognathic surgery for the rehabilitation of edentulous cleft palate patients: a case report

A 43-year-old woman with a unilateral cleft lip and palate, presenting a totally edentulous maxilla and mandible with marked maxillomandibular discrepancy, attended the Prosthodontics section of the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo for treatment. She could not close her mouth and was dissatisfied with her complete dentures. Treatment planning comprised placement of six implants in the maxilla, four in the mandible followed by prostheses installation and orthognathic surgery. The mandibular full arch prosthesis guided the occlusion for orthognathic positioning of the maxilla. The maxillary complete prosthesis was designed to assist the orthognathic surgery with a provisional prosthesis (no metal framework), allowing reverse treatment planning. Maxillary and mandibular realignment was performed. Three months later, a relapse in the position of the maxilla was observed, which was offset with a new maxillary prosthesis. This isa complex interdisciplinary treatment and two-year follow-up is presented and discussed. It should be considered that this type of treatment could also be applied in non-cleft patients.

Pattern of disocclusion in patients with complete cleft lip and palate

Objective: to analyze the pattern of disocclusion during excursive mandibular movements and presence or absence of occlusal interferences and occlusal pathologies (gingival recession and abfraction). Method: examination of 120 individuals divided into two groups, as follows: Group 1-90 patients with complete cleft lip and palate (study group), subdivided into 30 patients with complete left unilateral cleft lip and palate, 30 patients with complete right unilateral cleft lip and palate and 30 patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate; Group 2-30 individuals without clefts (control group). Results: 58.8% of patients in Group 1 presented unilateral or bilateral canine guidance, 26.6% presented unilateral or bilateral group function and 54.4% presented lateral movements through the posterior teeth. Regarding protrusive movements, 80% presented anterior guidance and 20% presented posterior guidance. In Group 2, 69.6% of individuals presented unilateral or bilateral canine guidance, 43.2% presented unilateral or bilateral group function and only 13.3% presented lateral movements through the posterior teeth; 3.4% presented protrusion through the posterior teeth. Conclusions: there was no difference in the pattern of disocclusion between subgroups of patients with clefts. Group 2 presented predominance of bilateral group function, whereas Group 1 presented a higher prevalence of posterior guidance during lateral movements. Protrusion occurred primarily through anterior guidance in Group 2 and through the posterior teeth in Group 1. There was high prevalence of occlusal interferences at the molar area for both groups, yet with no correlation with occlusal pathologies (recession and abfraction).

Implant placement for patients with cleft lip and palate: A clinical report and guidelines for treatment

The multidisciplinary teams involved in the treatment of individuals with cleft lip and palate are challenged when implants are indicated in the cleft area. Difficulties include obtaining a healthy peri-implant area and, especially, obtaining the natural-looking papilla essential for esthetic success. The area affected by the cleft has a bone deficiency, which is typically augmented with an alveolar bone graft at adolescence. Guidelines for the 3-dimensional placement of implants at the cleft area are presented based on clinical reports. The patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Adoption of the proposed guidelines enables satisfactory esthetic and functional outcomes in patients with cleft lip and palate.

Removable partial denture with attachment as a treatment option in patients with cleft lip and palate

The rehabilitation treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate is lengthy and is carried out by various professionals from different areas of healthcare. To this end, planning and specialist knowledge are critical to the success of the treatment, in this way envisioning the aesthetic and functional rehabilitation of the individual in order to integrate them into society. This study consists of a literature review along with the report of a clinical case, demonstrating the treatment performed with the use of a removable partial denture using the abutment teeth treated with milled metal-ceramic crowns and the use of attachments, with a view to promoting the retention and stability of the prosthetic device. With the use of this system as a whole, aimed at improving the facial proportions due to the restoration of vertical dimension of occlusion and adequate lip support, features that are often not present in individuals with cleft lip and palate. In this work, we are seeking to underline the importance of scientific and technical knowledge, combined with a well-executed planning, in order to achieve successful treatment that restores function and aesthetics to the patient, thereby enabling their reintegration into society. Indexing terms: Crowns. Dental prosthesis design. Mouth rehabilitation.

Alternatives for rehabilitation of cleft patients with severe maxillomandibular discrepancy.

AbstractRehabilitation of cleft patients is a process that occurs from birth to adult life and involves a team of many professionals. Reconstructive plastic surgery, despite its functional and aesthetic benefits to the patient, can restrict the normal anterior displacement that occurs in the growth of the maxilla, which, in turn, can lead to a concave profile that requires correction. This study aimed to demonstrate an alternative rehabilitation treatment for cleft patients who have severe maxillomandibular discrepancy and choose not to undergo orthognathic surgery. A retrospective review and case reports of rehabilitation treatment of cleft patients were performed, with an emphasis on prosthetic rehabilitation without orthognathic surgical procedures. Prosthetic rehabilitation is a fast and reversible option for cleft patients that provides facial harmony and facilitates the reintegration of these patients into society.