DDY occurs due to the fusion defect of the structures in the facial region of the baby due to various reasons during the embryological period. It is popularly known as hare-lipped. It is seen in one in every 1000 births in the society. The baby may have cleft lip, cleft palate or both.
The Role of Orthodontists in Cleft Lip and Palate
Cleft lip, palate and cleft palate. Various facial clefts occur during the first 2 months of pregnancy when the fusion of the structures forming the face cannot be completed for various reasons. It is popularly known as "rabbit lips". Cleft lip and palate are seen in 1 in every 1000 babies born in society. The baby may have only cleft lip, only cleft palate, or both lip and palate. These clefts can be unilateral or bilateral.
Orthodontists play a major and vital role in the lives of individuals with cleft lip and palate. Orthodontists play an active role in the treatment of the patient in various periods, from the first day following birth to the age of 20.
If the baby is born with a cleft in the palate, the first issue to be addressed is nutrition. Babies are referred to orthodontic clinics within 1-2 days following birth. A baby with a cleft palate cannot suck the mother's breast or bottle as it should. In order to regulate the absorption function and therefore nutrition, it may first be necessary to make "nutrition plates". In this way, it is ensured that the baby can swallow the food he eats and therefore has a healthy diet. In addition, it will be useful to use special bottles and bottle caps for babies who have feeding difficulties.
In this early period, there are different applications other than feeding plates. With these applications, it is possible to shape the oral and nasal tissues until the baby's lip closure surgery when he or she is 4-6 months old, thus increasing the success of the surgery. It would be appropriate to discuss these alternatives with orthodontists and get detailed information.
Although there are minor differences between physicians and schools, on average, the lip of a 4-6 month old baby and the palate of a 1-1.5 year old baby are closed surgically. Due to these surgeries, the upper jaw is positioned slightly back and remains narrow. It is very normal for the teeth in the upper and lower jaw to not erupt properly. Orthodontists will also come into play in the treatment of these problems. Your child with cleft lip and palate should be taken for an orthodontist examination again around the age of 7-8. If the orthodontist deems it necessary, he will take you back for treatment immediately, or if not, at a slightly older age. He will apply treatments that will widen the upper jaw, bring it forward and straighten the teeth.
Upper canine teeth are usually located in the cleft area. For this reason, problems may occur in the eruption of canine teeth. Orthodontists and surgeons add bone to the cleft area when the eruption period of these teeth approaches. You need to consult your physicians on this issue.
In individuals with cleft lip and palate, whose existing teeth are replaced and aligned properly, their upper jaw may be positioned backwards despite all the treatments. This is a very common situation. The reason why the upper jaw is positioned behind; These are surgical scars due to closure surgeries performed in infancy. Scars, especially on the lips and palate, prevent the upper jaw from growing properly. But this situation will be treated successfully by your orthodontist and the surgical team he works with. When the child's development is completed, that is, when he becomes an adult, he may need to undergo another surgery that will bring the upper jaw forward. Although the adventure of the individual with cleft lip and palate with his orthodontist is approaching its finale with this surgery, it will actually continue for many years with routine check-ups.
The individual whose upper jaw has been surgically moved forward and whose orthodontic treatment is nearing completion will be referred to prosthetic dentistry specialists. If there are missing teeth, these teeth will be treated with fixed bridge prostheses.
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