Orthodontic Treatment of a Patient with Facial Cleft (Part 1)

The aim of therapy in patients affected with a cleft in orofacial region is a functional and aesthetic rehabilitation of the soft tissues of the face, defect of the jaw and dentition. The complex therapy is related to the type and extent of the defect, postnatal development and general health of the affected child and requires participation of a team of specialists, while the interdisciplinary care is concentrated to specialized cleft centers. In the Czech Republic there are long-term traditional centers in Prague and Brno. Orthodontic therapy is an integral part of the therapeutic protocol. The following article summarizes the most important phases of orthodontic therapy subsequent to surgical reconstruction of the middle face.