Orthodontic Care for Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate

Orthodontic treatment for patients with cleft lip and palate occurs in sequential stages. During infancy, pre-surgical infant orthodopedics may be used to improve the alignment of the cleft segments and increase nasal symmetry. During the mixed dentition, patients are followed closely to determine the timing for alveolar bone grafting surgery and the need for limited orthodontic intervention. Upon completion of craniofacial growth, the need for orthodontic therapy with or without orthognathic surgery is dependent on malocclusion, skeletal discrepancy, and asymmetry. Collaboration between a multidisciplinary team is paramount to enhance occlusion and surgical outcomes.