Long-term prosthodontic follow-up and revisional treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate: Case presentation

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the need for r egular life-long follow-up care of cleft lip and palate patients to maintai n adequate masticatory function, speech, and esthetics, thereby supporting psychosocial function. Materials and Methods: Intitial and revisional prost hodontic treatments over a period of 32 years in a patient with a bilateral cleft lip and palate are described. Results: Despite an initial dentition of poor health and prognosis and suboptimal patient cooperation, it was pos sible to arrive at an improved clinical and radiologic state of oral health by the end of the observation period. Conclusion: Regular life-long prosth odontic follow-up with adequate maintenance and revisional treatments shoul d be regarded as an essential part of the long-term care for subjects with clefts.