Dental concerns of children with lip cleft and palate - a review

Abstract

The incidence of cleft lip and palate varies from 0.5 to 3.63 per 1000 live births and factors responsible for development of cleft lip and palate are genetic, environmental and geno-environmental interactions. Cleft lip may be associated with syndromes like Down's, Vander Woude's and Pirre Robin syndrome etc. Palatal repair may inhibit the growth of maxilla due to scar contracture. Numerous tooth defects are commonly seen in cleft lip and palate cases. Babies with cleft palate are unable to suck mother's milk because intraoral negative pressure is not possible. Rule of ten is followed as a guide for timing of lip and anterior palate repair. Single stage repair at the age of one and half years produces normal speech at 50-70% of cases. Children with a cleft of palate are prone to upper respiratory tract infections leads to a high incidence of middle ear problems and resultant defects in hearing. If orthographic surgery is done to correct the underlying skeletal imbalance, preoperative orthodontic treatment is needed to achieve proper alignment of teeth. This article discuss about etiology, clinical features, and management of cleft lip and palate.

Clinical Profiles of children born with Orofacial Clefts: Results from Fourteen East African Countries

“…The cleft palate ratio is even lower than that of a previous study conducted in Africa, which indicated a ratio of 5.1:8.8:1 (13). This can be explained in light of the reality that the patients have higher rates of morbidity and mortality from poor feeding, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases due to malnutrition, as described by other studies (13,(31)(32)(33).…”

The Role of the Pediatric Dentist in the Multidisciplinary Management of the Cleft Lip Palate Patient

“…Cleft lip and palate children benefit from a multidisciplinary team approach and special treatment requirements. Dental caries can be a crucial additional problem to these children: a good dietary awareness in relation to dental caries should be encouraged from early life, commencing with discussions between the mother and dental surgeon shortly after the birth of the child [20]. Prevention through sealants and varnishes should be performed when possible and individuals undergoing surgery should have an excellent oral condition, removing the sources of infection that may compromise the surgery.…”

Tratamiento y control de salud de niños con fisura labio alvéolo palatina, nacidos en 2015-2016 en el subsector público en Argentina

“…Antes de que termine la dentición primaria, el odontólogo debe evaluar la oclusión y la relación maxilo-mandibular, según cada caso (8). Las anomalías dentarias, como los dientes supernumerarios o desplazados, pueden interferir con los movimientos de la punta de la lengua durante la producción del habla, y habitualmente deben ser extraídos (146). Todos los niños que hayan atravesado la palatoplastía deben realizar luego tratamiento de ortopedia y ortodoncia (110).…”