The continuing role of the prosthodontist in the treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate.
The prosthodontist can fill a unique position on the cleft-palate team by aggressive participation in every phase of treatment for the developing child. Neonatal prostheses allow for normal feeding and help to direct proper tongue position. Palatal obturation is essential during all growth and tooth development. When orthodontic treatment is necessary and a pharyngeal extension prosthesis is present, obturation can be maintained with flexible denture liners. Each individual situation will allow utilization of an innovative type of prosthesis.
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000628:therapy*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000628:therapy*; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D010158:Palatal Obturators; D011476:Prosthodontics; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous