[The value of functional rehabilitation of patients with clefts for their growth and development]

The optimal rehabilitation of patients with cleft lips and palates can be realized only in the form of complete rehabilitation by the joint efforts of the oral surgeon, the logopaedist, the orthodontist and the prosthodontist. Clinical observations and studies have shown that the following three findings cannot satisfy: - imperfect functional rehabilitation of the cleft lip, especially of the bilateral cleft lip; - considerable constriction of the vestibulum, which is also relatively often seen in bilateral cleft lips; and - surgically-induced considerable flattening of the palatine vault, which restricts the use of oral removable appliances.