Retrospective evaluation of the orthodontic treatment needs in primary school children with Robin sequence following Tübingen palatal plate therapy in infancy

The aim of this study was to investigate the orthodontic treatment needs (OTN) of children with RS treated with the TPP in infancy compared to age- and sex-matched controls. The aim of this study was to investigate the orthodontic treatment needs (OTN) of children with RS treated with the TPP in infancy compared to age- and sex-matched controls. In 21 children with RS (n = 23; 19 non-syndromic, 4 syndromic; average age 9.9 years) showed high OTN, which was significantly higher than in controls (n = 21). The latter of 9 controls had minor OTN, followed by 8 participants with borderline OTN. Regarding the intraoral picture, patients with RS had an increased open bite tendency. Without considering the presence of a cleft palate, 16 children with RS had high or very high OTN, compared to 4 of controls. Patients with RS have significantly higher OTN than healthy controls, independent of cleft occurrence. RS is associated with dental anomalies and special skeletal growth patterns, both increasing malocclusion and negatively affecting dentoalveolar growth. This should raise awareness for identifying these needs and provide a comprehensive orthodontic treatment, where functional rehabilitation should be favored over aesthetic results. [Display omitted] •Children with Robin sequence have higher orthodontic treatment needs compared to healthy children.•Occurrence of a cleft palate has only a mild effect on orthodontic treatment needs.•Robin sequence shows specific dentoalveolar growth patterns and dental anomalies.•Functional rehabilitation should focus on orthodontic treatment in patients with RS.