Abstract
Children born with clefts of the lip and palate have a constellation of problems that need to be resolved for successful habilitation. The complexity of these problems requires that numer- ous health care practitioners cooperate in providing the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to ensure contemporary care for the patient. Maxillary obturation is utilized to improve feeding in either unilateral or bilateral complete clefts in the newborn. In the infant with a unilateral cleft, orthopedic molding of the greater segment produces a more normal maxillary arch form. In the infant with a bilateral complete cleft, orthopedic movement of the premaxilla can be accomplished to improve the physical relations of the premaxilla and the lateral palatal segments. Prolonged obturation may be required when the cleft is extensive and palatal closure is not surgically feasible during the usual 8 to 18 months of life. Methods for cleft orthotics and obturation in infants and children born with unilateral or bilateral complete clefts of the lip and palate are easy to apply. These procedures are important in the comprehensive care of this most demanding patient population.
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