Objective: To assess three-dimensionally (3D) the short-term effects of Bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) with and without maxillary expansion on the oropharyngeal airway volume in patients with surgically repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).
Material and methods: Twenty growing Class III maxillary deficient patients (mean age 10.8 +1.2) with complete UCLP were treated with BAMP protocol. The cone-beam computed tomography scans that were taken before start of treatment and after 9-months of treatment were retrieved from the archive of the Orthodontic Department-XXXX University. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I were treated with BAMP alone. Group II were treated with BAMP preceded by maxillary expansion. The oropharyngeal airway volume was measured before treatment and after 9 months. Statistical analysis was carried to find the difference between the two groups.
Results: The results showed no significant change in the oropharyngeal airway volume in Group I treated with BAMP alone. On the other hand, a significant increase in the oropharyngeal airway volume was observed in group II in which BAMP was preceded by maxillary expansion.
Conclusion: BAMP protocol alone was not able to produce significant change in the oropharyngeal airway volume in patients with complete UCLP. However, when it was preceded by maxillary expansion, a significant increase in the oropharyngeal airway volume was observed.