All patients with cleft lip involving gums and palate have associated dental abnormalities, These abnormalities involve both milk teeth and permanent teeth. Since milk teeth are going to fall as the child grows they are not treated except in case of dental infections. Permanent teeth are best treated by an orthodontist at the age of 8 years or whenever permanent dentition is established at the earliest. Some of these patients will require surgery for putting bone into the gap at the level of gums, this helps the orthodontists to move teeth into the gap. Orthodontics becomes more difficult and takes longer as the person gets older.
M.B.B.S., M.S., MCh. (Plastic Surgery) Senior Consultant Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery. ( Omit gen surgery)
