Role of orthodontist in management of cleft lip and palate

The management of orofacial clefts is multi-disciplinary involving a number of specialists including the oral and maxillofacial surgeons, cleft surgeons, ENT surgery, restorative and pediatric dentists, plastic surgeons, psychologists and speech therapists, etc. It is not only important for the orthodontist to communicate well with all these specialists in the management of CLP patients to allow for timely management rather he plays a pivotal role in rehablitation of cleft lip and palate individual through his knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the oral cavity, supplemented with the knowledge of growth changes.