This
paper presents the
treatment protocol of
maxillofacial surgery in the
rehabilitation process of
cleft lip and
palate patients adopted at HRAC-USP.
Maxillofacial surgeons are responsible for the accomplishment of two main
procedures , alveolar
bone graft surgery and
orthognathic surgery . The primary objective of alveolar
bone graft is to provide
bone tissue for the cleft site and then allow orthodontic
movements for the establishment of an an adequate occlusion. When performed before the eruption of the maxillary permanent canine, it presents high rates of success.
Orthognathic surgery aims at correcting maxillomandibular discrepancies, especially anteroposterior maxillary deficiencies, commonly observed in
cleft lip and
palate patients , for the
achievement of a functional occlusion combined with a balanced
face .