A study of the facial cleft and case report of facial cleft patient / 대한치과교정학회지

ABSTRACT

Facial cleft is not a common anomaly of craniofacial region. But it is often accompanied with cleft lip and/or palate, so it seems important to orthodontist. Facial cleft is defined as a fissure or elongated opening of the facial region, and it's etiology is the failure of the fusion of the parts which will form the face in embryonic developmental period. Facial cleft can be classified according to the time of occurrence and the area involved during developmental period. It develops 1-2.5 weeks earlier than cleft lip and/or cleft palate. In facial cleft, the deformity is generally confined to the facial region, but sometimes deformity of other body region can accompany. The interaction of the facial cleft and the genetic anomaly is not confirmed, but genetic anomaly is known to be able to occur in the patient with other anomaly of body. As an orthodontist we should know the general considerations of facial cleft and it's treatment procedures other than orthodontic treatment.