Objective: To evaluate three-dimensionally the soft tissue changes following maxillary protraction using bone-anchored maxillary protraction protocol (BAMP) in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).
Material and methods: Twenty-eight growing patients (9-13 years old) with surgically repaired complete UCLP and skeletal Class III primarily due to maxillary deficiency were included in this study. After surgical placement of 4 custom-made modified surgical miniplates, patients were treated with BAMP protocol. Cone-beam computed tomography was taken after surgical placement of the miniplates (T1) and after 9 months (T2) to investigate treatment changes. Three-dimensional soft tissue measurements were assessed and correlated to the skeletal measurements.
Results: The results showed significant improvement in the soft tissue profile that closely followed the underlying skeletal changes. Forward movement of the upper lip was presented by increase in the linear measurements Ls-E line and Ss-ISP, increase in the H-angle and decrease in the nasolabial angle. No changes were found in the position of the lower lip or in the soft tissue chin. There was an increase in the angle of facial convexity. There was a statistically significant direct correlation between the amount of forward movement of the maxilla and the whole midface together with the forward movement of the upper lip.
Conclusions: BAMP protocol effectively improved the concave soft tissue profile in growing patients with UCLP.