The role of orthodontics in a 13-year multidisciplinary treatment of cleft lip and palate

Abstract

A healthy 10-day-old male infant was diagnosed with a complete right-sided unilateral cleft of the lip, alveolus, and palate. Over 13 years, treatment coordinated by the orthodontist included presurgical nasoalveolar molding, lip and palate repair, facemask therapy, orthodontic preparation for alveolar bone grafting, alveolar bone grafting with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2, postoperative orthodontics, and fixed appliance therapy. All interventions were timed according to craniofacial growth, with the orthodontist guiding the treatment sequence. The patient achieved maxillary arch symmetry, bilateral Class I occlusion, proper overbite and overjet, and acceptable esthetic outcomes without the need for orthognathic surgery. In conclusion, orthodontic treatment played a central role in coordinating timely, growth-guided interventions to support stable outcomes in long-term cleft care.