Role of Orthodontist in Cleft Lip and Palate

Over the years, the role of orthodontist in cleft lip and palate has been multiple, because of its synergism with other treatment needs of the patient. The orthodontist can participate during all stages of care of cleft patient: In early stages with pre surgical maxillary orthopaedics; during the intermediate stages by aligning the maxillary segments and dentition and preparation for secondary alveolar bone grafting; during the final stages by obtaining ideal dental relation and preparing the dentition for prosthetic rehabilitation or orthognathic surgery. The role of the orthodontist in timing and sequence of treatment is important in terms of overall team management. The orthodontist must make critical decisions for orthodontic intervention at the appropriate time and prioritize treatment goals for each intervention as the goal for complete rehabilitation of patients with clefts is to minimize interventions and maximize treatment outcome.