Background: Although surgical treatment protocols for cleft lip and palate patients have been established, many patients still have some soft tissue defects after complete healing from surgical interventions. These are excess soft tissue, high attached fraena and firmed tethering scares. These soft tissue defects resulted shallowing of vestibule, restricted tooth movement, compromised periodontal health and trended to limit the maxillary growth. The aim of this case report was to present a method of correcting soft tissue defects after conventional surgery in cleft lip and palate patient by using combined laser surgery and orthodontic appliance.
Case Report: A bilateral cleft lip and palate patient with a clinical problem of shallow upper anterior vestibule after alveolar bone graft received a vestibular extension by using CO₂ laser with ablation and vaporization techniques at 4 W and continuous wave. A customized orthodontic appliance, called a buccal shield, was placed immediately after surgery and retained for 1 month to 3 months until complete soft tissue healing. The procedures were performed 2 episodes. Both interventions used the same CO₂ laser procedure. The first treatment resulted in partial re-attachment of soft tissue at surgical area. The second laser operation with the proper design of buccal shield providing passive contact with more extended flange resulting in a favorable outcome from 1 year follow up. Then the corrective orthodontic treatment could be continued effectively.
Conclusions: The CO₂ laser surgery was a proper treatment for correcting soft tissue defects and the design of buccal shield was a key for success in molding surgical soft tissue.