Temporary obturation of anterior residual clefts: Preliminary clinical report

In bilateral cleft lip and palate children, reflux of liquids and food into the nasal cavity, hypernasality and other speech deficiencies, displacement and risk of traumatic injuries to the premaxilla may be consequences of delayed surgical closure of the anterior palate. To address these problems, temporary obturation was undertaken with a newly designed orthopedic plate. The plate was well accepted by the ten consecutively treated patients and obturation was achieved in a clinical sense. The position of the premaxilla was corrected and maintained. Speech and intraoral air pressure were assessed. Both abilities improved with training and time after insertion of the plate.