[Orthodontic and surgical aspects of cleft palate treatment]

The growth pattern of the face in cleft lip and palate patients is determined by intrinsic, functional and iatrogenic factors. Probably the iatrogenic factors are the most important. Orthodontic and orthognatic aspects of cleft palate treatment are described, being divided in five stages: 1. presurgical orthopedic treatment prior to lipclosure; 2. early orthopedic treatment of maxillary hypoplasia; 3. reconstruction of the alveolar cleft with bonegrafting and/or orthodontic treatment; 4. orthodontic treatment and 5. combined surgical/orthodontic treatment.