Harmony in Motion: Unleashing the Collective Potential of Multidisciplinary Team in Craniofacial Orthodontics

The principal role of the multidisciplinary team in orofacial cleft patients is to provide integrated case management to assure quality and continuity of patient care and longitudinal follow-up. Each patient seen by the team requires comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment planning to achieve maximum habilitation with efficient use of parent and patient time and resources. The orthodontist has proven to be an essential partner in the cleft palate team. Patients with orofacial clefts require orthodontic treatment at any or all four different stages: Neonatal maxillary orthopedics, orthodontic treatment during the deciduous dentition, mixed dentition, and permanent dentition. The orthodontic treatment plan for cleft patients will vary depending on the individual’s unique condition, age, and treatment goals.