Non-surgical management of unilateral cleft lip and palate in growing patient

Cleft lip and palate (CLCP) is one of the most common congenital deformities of the craniofacial complex. It has multifactorial etiology with skeletal, dental, soft tissue defects; functional defects such as speech, swallowing, hearing; in addition to psychological and social implications along with facial disfigurement. Thus, the treatment approach is also multidisciplinary involving orthodontist, plastic surgeons, ear-nose and throat surgeon, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, prosthodontist, speech therapist, etc. This case report describes a nonsurgical approach for treating the CLCP patient with rapid maxillary expansion followed by Facemask therapy for protraction of maxilla during the mixed dentition phase to correct the developing malocclusion.