Tessier 30 symphyseal mandibular cleft: early simultaneous soft and hard tissue correction - a case report

A symphyseal mandibular facial cleft (Tessier 30) is a rare congenital abnormality. Nonunion of bone in the symphysis of the mandible, median cleft of the lower lip and tongue adherence in the midline to the floor of the mouth are the principle features of the anomaly. A satisfactory result can be achieved with early surgical correction of both hard and soft tissue defects in the age of 6 months. More than 3 years follow-up shows total bony fusion of the symphysis and normal lower lip function. There were only left deciduous central incisor and the ipsilateral tooth bud of the permanent central incisor missing.