BIOMECHANICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN ORTHODONTIC CORRECTION OF MESIAL OCCLUSION IN UNILATERAL CLEFT LIP AND PALATE PATIENTS

The orthodontic management of mesial occlusion in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) involves complex biomechanical considerations and treatment strategies that must be adapted to the unique anatomical and functional challenges associated with cleft conditions. Mesial occlusion, often associated with a prognathic skeletal pattern, is characterized by altered sagittal relationships between the maxilla and mandible, leading to compromised occlusal function and facial harmony. In individuals with UCLP, these discrepancies are frequently exacerbated by maxillary hypoplasia, dental arch asymmetry, and the long-term effects of surgical repair.