Preface

Non-syndromic cleft lip and palate patients have the most common congenital anomalies that affect the middle and lower part of the face, and which impair aesthetic integrity. These anomalies also affect basic functions such as hearing, speaking, chewing, and breathing. In addition to the dental, skeletal, auditory, and speech problems created by the defect itself, some other problems that may arise include midfacial retrognathie at various stages of the growth development period as a result of the restraining effect of the development of scar tissue developed secondary to the lip and palate surgery.

Treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate is not only possible with surgery, but it requires multidisciplinary teamwork. The cleft child should be followed and treated by a team of experts from different disciplines who work well together. The presence of an orthodontist, plastic, reconstructive and esthetic surgeon, maxillo facial surgeon, otolaryngologist, speech therapist, pediatric dentist, psychologist and nurse in this team affects the success of the treatment. Although cleft surgery, orthodontic treatment, and speech therapy are the main disciplines, each of the other branches is also very important. In this book, we present the reader with the experiences and knowledge of some of these disciplines. This book also includes information on the quality of life of children with this anomaly and anesthesia evaluation, which is very important for the cleft surgery. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the authors who have contributed, and to the valuable readers.

> **Ayşe Gülşen, PhD, DDS** Orthodontist, Associate Professor, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Esthetic Surgery, University of Gazi, Ankara, Turkey

**1**

Section 1

Dental Development and

Treatment in Clefts

Section 1
