Dental management of patients with Cleft Lip/Palate: About two cases

Authors:  Atika Bouabid, Imen Jazi, Amina Labidi, Manel Chalbi , Jihène Zaroui , Mohamed Ali Chemli.

Abstract

Introduction

Orofacial Cleft Lip/Palate (CL/P) is the most common of craniofacial congenital deformities with a global prevalence of 1.5 in 1000 births and a multifactorial etiology. These congenital defects are usually associated with oro-dental abnormalities and oro-facial function disorders, which makes them a complex problem to manage.

Observation

Two clinical cases presented in this article illustrate some aspects of the dental care of children with CL/P. The first case involved an 8-day-old infant with Cleft Lip and Palate, presented to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Prevention at the University Hospital of RABTA in Tunis. An obturator plate was designed for this newborn to overcome the feeding problem. The second case describes the use of a Quad helix appliance in a seven-year-old boy with Cleft Lip and Palate sequela, presented to the Department of Pediatric dentistry and Prevention at the dental clinic of Monastir, for a transversal expansion.

Discussion

The Management of CL/P follows a multidisciplinary approach. The pediatric dentist plays a crucial role in creating an appropriate treatment plan for oral health and general nutrition. This latter contributes to maintaining the gums and dentition in good health, and monitoring craniofacial growth and development as well as correcting dental occlusion for an optimal and proper function and appearance.

Keywords:

Clefts, newborns, dental anomalies, feeding obturator, transversal expansion.

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