Modification of dentofacial growth associated with Goldenhar syndrome

The rare developmental defect, Goldenhar syndrome is characterized by complex craniofacial and dentofacial anomalies. Here we describe the successful orthodontic treatment of a 5-year-old Japanese Goldenhar syndrome patient with mild facial asymmetry, right microtia, right-side hearing loss, and tongue-thrusting by a modification of dentofacial growth using a non-surgical orthopedic treatment approach. Improvement of the vertical discrepancies on the affected side and canted occlusal plane as well as mandibular deviation were achieved with a functional orthopaedic approach. Stable and acceptable occlusion were obtained over the 32-month post-retention period. A non-surgical orthodontic treatment approach offers satisfactory facial aesthetic outcomes in Goldenhar syndrome.