The outcomes of team approaches for the treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate

Aim: Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP) is the most seen congenital anomaly, observed in the orofacial area. Patients with CLP have many problems starting from birth, so the treatment begins with birth until the patient becomes an adult. CLP causes several functional and esthetic problems due to its structure affecting both hard and soft tissues involving nose, lips, alveolus and palate. A multidisciplinary treatment approach is required for these patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of the effect of team treatment approaches of CLP.

Material and Method: Cleft patients need interdisciplinary treatment approaches. In this study, the treatment of the patients with CLP is presented by the help of team approaches. There are different treatment approaches in each period. The treatment approaches in the patients in infant period (0-12 months), in deciduous dentition period (1-5 years), in mixed dentition period (5-13 years), in permanent dentition period (13-18 years) and in adult period (after 18 years old) were presented.

Results: This study shows the necessity of multidisciplinary treatment in patients with cleft lip and palate. Improvement of the aesthetic, function and phonation of the patient has been observed with through the therapy performed. In every dental period; newborn, deciduous, mixed, permanent and adult, orthodontics have different treatment approaches. The success in cleft patients depends on certainly using the appropriate treatment method in each discipline with the correct sequence and to work in coordination as a team.

Author(s): Ege Dogan and Servet Dogan

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share This Article