Dr. Yamashiro is a Professor and Chairman of Orthodontics at Osaka University, and a Vice Director of Osaka University Dental Hospital. Prior to his current position, he chaired the Orthodontic Departments of Okayama University and organized Okayama Craniofacial Center at Okayama University Hospital as a Vice Head. He is a member of the Eastern Component of the Edward H. Angle Society, and a Fellow of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FDSRCSEd). He received his dental degree (DDS), postgraduate training in orthodontics and doctoral degree (PhD) on bone biology from Osaka University. His post-doctral studies were in developmental biology at Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Finland. His scientific and clinical interests include the biological and molecular mechanism of palatogenesis, tooth development and craniofacial development and surgical-orthodontic treatment of cleft palate patients.
Orthodontic Treatment in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate
Skeletal orthodontic anchorage systems provide stationary anchorage for various tooth movements without the need for active patient compliance and with no undesirable side effects. Treatment using a skeletal orthodontic anchorage offers a variety of treatment alternatives in challenging cases where traditional mechanics cannot be used. Patients with a cleft lip and palate (CLP) typically show a high incidence of Class III malocclusion. We developed the technique of maxillary anterior segmental distraction osteogenesis (MASDO), which facilitates the forward advancement of the anterior maxillary segments without affecting the patient’s velopharyngeal function. Although MASDO also corrects the anteriorly-flattened dental arches that are characteristically observed in cleft palate patients with severely retruded maxilla, edentulous spaces are newly developed by alveolar bone distraction along the dental arch. Skeletal anchorage devices in the anterior region allow allows mesial movement of the posterior teeth without aggravating the interincisal relationship attained by MASDO. I am also demonstrating procedures of orthodontic tooth movement into newly distracted bone using skeletal anchorage devices.