Rigid external distraction using skeletal anchorage to cleft maxilla united with alveolar bone grafting.

Objective: Documentation of the application of maxillary distraction osteogenesis using rigid external distraction (RED) with skeletal anchorage combined with predistraction alveolar bone grafting (ABG) in cleft maxilla.

Methods: Case report. Methods: A patient with numerous congenital missing teeth and severe maxillary deficiency related to complete bilateral cleft lip and palate with large alveolar bone defect. Methods: The patient received preoperative orthodontic treatment, predistraction ABG, and maxillary distraction osteogenesis using RED with skeletal anchorage.

Results: Predistraction ABG completely united the cleft maxilla. The united maxilla was successfully advanced by the RED system with skeletal anchorage, despite unsound dentition with numerous congenital missing teeth.

Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that the combination of predistraction ABG and RED system with skeletal anchorage is effective for the treatment of severe maxillary deficiency related to complete bilateral cleft lip and palate with large bone defect and numerous congenital missing teeth.