Contributions within dental science to cleft lip/palate management: a literature review

Dentistry has consistently provided cleft lip/palate care with new advancements in management and technology. However, there is a significant disparity in the general knowledge base of the general dental and medical practitioner regarding this relatively common orofacial deformity. Fortunately, contributions from the dental arts continue to provide momentum and major influence in the cleft-care arena. Modifications in pharyngeal flap procedures for management of velopharyngeal incompetence have been advanced by oral and maxillofacial surgery. Application of contemporary integrated prosthesis technologies to cleft dental habilitation are now being used. Recently, significant contributions to cleft lip/palate science from the realm of fetal surgery and fetal wound healing may eventually have broader applications and benefit all facets of health care.