Use of osseointegrated implants to support a maxillary denture for a patient with repaired cleft lip and palate

Although many cleft lip and palate patients retain their dentition, some develop partial or complete edentulism. The configuration of the residual maxillary alveolar ridge may provide little support for a complete or partial maxillary denture. The success of the Branemark dental implant has been well established, and although placement of implants in the maxilla may present a surgical challenge, implants are very effective in providing support and, therefore, retention and stability. Application of implants to the cleft palate maxilla is particularly valuable because of the difficulty in constructing well-fitting conventional dentures for CLP patients, and the relatively compromised nature of the prostheses when made. This report presents the prosthetic treatment of a nearly edentulous cleft lip and palate patient.