[Orthodontic treatment of children with cleft lip and cleft palate]

Orthodontic treatment of children with cleft palates continues through the periods of the three dentitions: temporary, mixed, and adult. Using examples, this paper deals with the different difficulties that can be encountered during treatment of this malformation. Orthodontic interception at the time of the temporary dentition corrects the heart of the problem, the transverse insufficiency, but also addresses moderate maxillary retrusion. Cooperation with a speech therapist at this stage is essential. In the mixed dentition, orthodontists correct incisal malalignment and, depending upon the severity of the deformity, consider surgical intervention. In the adult dentition, a variety of decisions must be made: whether to open or close the spaces left by absent lateral incisors; whether to accept an orthodontic compromise or to elect surgical advancement of the maxilla; and, if surgery is deemed appropriate, whether to embark on an early distraction procedure or to rely on a classical osteotomy.