THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY MANAGE`MENT OF CLEFT LIP AND PALATE PATIENTS- ORTHODONTIC POINT OF VIEW

The management of patients with cleft lip and palate is complex and requires a multidisciplinary team with several interventions and long-term treatment. The regular timing of orthodontic and surgical treatment is important for a successful longterm outcome and for reducing the burden of caring for both the child and the family. This paper will focus on the orthodontic treatment of patients born with cleft lip and palate from an early age to skeletal maturity. Management of patients with cleft lip and cleft palate requires extended orthodontic treatment and interdisciplinary approach in providing these patients with optimal aesthetics, function and stability. Orthodontic therapy in infant phase, primary, mixed and permanent dentition and after the end of growth will be discussed with an appropriate int