Three Dimensional Evaluation of Dento-Skeletal Effects of Leaf Self Expander in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients

Orofacial clefts are the most prevalent among congenital malformations, which can involve the upper lip, alveolar ridge or/and the palate and, in general, cause esthetic, functional, and psychosocial impairments in different magnitudes, depending on its location and extension.

The Leaf Self Expander (LSE) is a new technology that similar to LE in design except absence of the reactivation screw and respects the principle of producing predetermined light, constant forces, without any intervention by the patient, parents or orthodontist. Where it is composed of three leaf springs compressed by the laboratory before delivery, it is deactivated spontaneously until the programmed expansion is achieved.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate in mixed dentition.
• Lip and palate repair was performed from 3 to 24 months of age.
• Presence of maxillary constriction and need of maxillary expansion prior to secondary alveolar bone grafting.
• Good periodontal health.

Exclusion criteria

• Previous orthodontic treatments.
• Any systemic diseases.
• Multiple carious lesions.