The Role of the Orthodontist during the Management of Patient with the Lip and Palatale Cleft

Objective: was the aim of this study was to assess cleft lip and /or palate (CL/P) patient's management strategies, to determine the role of the orthodontist during primary and secondary treatment, to highlight the treatment needs of patients with cleft palates and to develop a management protocol suitable for these patients in order to reduce the sequelae. Materials and Methods: Through a cross-sectional descriptive study within the dento- facial orthopedic department of the dental consultation and treatment center of Casablanca, 120 patients with labio-alveolo-palato-velar clefts were interviewed and examined. A six page questionnaire was designed to collect the information needed for this study. Results: 51,7 % of the patients were males and 48,3% were females, primary surgery was generally done during the first months after birth, the lip and nose repair at the age of 6 months, the uranoplasty and veloplasty at the age of 12 months, bone grafting surgery was mainly done in patients between 5 and 11 years old .Orthodontic treatment was started in mixed dentition. Treatment of nasal, labial, and phonatory sequelea were provided later in life. Conclusion: The management of patients with CLP is still poor and needs further investigation in order to gain insight into persisting problems and needs.