Bone anchored maxillary protraction in patients with cleft lip and palate and midfacial deficiency
Bone anchored maxillary protraction in patients with cleft lip and palate and midfacial deficiency
Cleft lip and palate is a common congenital condition that often results in restricted growth of the maxilla and midface. Traditional treatments, such as facemask therapy, have succes but also limitations. Bone Anchored Maxillary Protraction (BAMP) has emerged as a promising alternative, showing stronger skeletal effects and better vertical control. Short- and medium-term effects of BAMP were studied in cleft patients with Class III malocclusion. After 1.5 and 3.5 years of treatment, significant forward movement of the zygomatico-maxillary complex was observed, with sustained and even progressive improvements over time.
Additionally, systematic reviews were conducted on 3D airway volume changes following orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatments. Overall, these interventions generally led to an increase in airway volume, particularly in non-extraction therapies. BAMP also showed a significant increase in airway volume, especially in the nasopharynx, reaching levels comparable to non-cleft controls.
Further research in this thesis of Ralph Steegman demonstrated that soft tissue changes during BAMP followed the direction of skeletal changes, though they were less pronounced. The findings suggest that BAMP is an effective treatment for growing cleft patients, with positive effects on skeletal development, airway dimensions, and facial profile. While promising, long-term outcomes and broader applicability still require further investigation.