Modern Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality-based Digital Modalities in Management of Cleft Lip and Palate: An Updated Comprehensive Literature Review

Cleft lip and palate (CLCP) is one of the common congenital anomalies (birth defects) in humans. It is multifactorial in etiology. Infants or children with CLCP usually suffer from a range of problems, such as inadequate nutrition, severe speech, hearing, and social developmental disorders. Furthermore, CLCP children usually face esthetic problems, maxillary hypoplasia, malocclusion conditions, and poor oral hygiene, which consequently affect their quality of life. Hence, timely treatment of these abnormalities through appropriate surgical procedures, and their special care usually play a significant role in reducing some of these associated problems/disabilities of CLCP-affected pediatric patients. In recent years, rapid evolution in digital technological innovations and advancements in various aspects of management or care of CLCP patients is evident from pertinent literature. Similarly, applications of immersive extended reality technologies, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), have been reported by several recent studies in the context of different aspects of cleft lip and cleft palate care. Oral health professionals and researchers always need to remain updated about such emerging digital technologies in managing the CLCP patients effectively. Therefore, the goal of this article was to extensively explore and review the current literature and subsequently, to discuss and highlight it in a narrative way. An exhaustive search strategy for multiple databases was executed using relevant keywords and their combinations to explore and identify pertinent published records. The important findings related to extended reality technologies (VR, AR, and MR) in CLCP management have been discussed in this narrative review article.