Orthodontic and surgical treatment of facial asymmetry in a patient with unicoronal craniosynostosis

Abstract

This case report presents the unique treatment of a patient with varying asymmetries at different levels within the face. The patient was a 17-year-old male with a diagnosis of right unilateral coronal synostosis. He had frontal and superior orbital retrusion on the fused side, and bossing of the contralateral side. The middle and lower portions of his face were rotated toward the nonfused side. This unique diagnosis presented particular challenges to surgical and orthodontic correction. The treatment approach, which included a combination of Le Fort I and II osteotomies, bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, and orthodontic treatment with 4 premolar extractions, enabled simultaneous correction of nasal, midfacial, lower facial, and dental asymmetries. The orthodontist and surgeon integrated their efforts to correct dentofacial asymmetry in all 3 planes of space. Facial esthetics and dental function were significantly improved with no appreciable relapse occurring over a 2-year retention period.