Treating patients with cleft

Clefts occurring on the facial area are the most frequent growth disorders. The treatment of patients born with cleft is a special field of orthodontics which, along with specialized expertise, requires close collaboration with other professions as well.

INITIAL STEPS, TREATMENT AT THE CENTRES

The treatment of children with cleft has to start straight after birth. The several surgical, plastic and dental operations have to be done subsequently and be coordinated with great precision. Therefore, the first phase of the treatment, until the age of approx. 8 to 10, can only be realized almost exclusively within the framework of special centres.

Later on, orthodontic treatment is being done for years long, preparing the way for necessary surgeries. Even though this is still a state-sponsored treatment, often the interventions must be delayed and patients are ‘lost’ due to the overcrowdedness of the healthcare system.

This is where we can help effectively.

With high level expertise, in a nice environment, while respecting the parents’ and young people’s time.

THE TASKS OF ORTHODONTICS AT A PRIVATE PRACTICE

Most youth with cleft need an orthodontic treatment made up of many steps. In most cases, the upper jaw is too narrow, teeth are missing and the remaining ones often appear in the wrong place as well.

At our office, the orthodontic treatment of those with cleft is entirely personalized in each and every case, it is fitted for the nature of the cleft and the special needs of our patients.

In most cases, the upper jaw needs to be extended, afterwards, it is usually the alignment of the canine teeth and the preparation of bone reconstruction surgery that comes next. Later on, naturally, we see the jaw bone development through up until the final surgery which is performed at the age of 17 to 18.

We work closely together with the speech therapists as well as the maxillofacial surgeons. From the Hyrax rapid expander through the fixed appliance treatments all the way to orthognath surgery preparation, these are all involved in our special field!