Craniofacial Deformities and Cleft Lip and Palate: Diagnosis, Treatment and Management

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Dentistry & Oral Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2025) | Viewed by 1295

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
2. Children’s Oral Health Service and Child Specialist Services, Metro North Hospital, Queensland Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
Interests: cleft lip and palate and craniofacial deformities; obstructive sleep apnoea; eating behaviour and chewing features; functional appliances; orthodontics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
Interests: endodontics; maxillofacial trauma; microbiology; biomaterial development; cleft lip and palate; bone regeneration; laser technology in dentistry; dental digital technology; dental education
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Plastic Surgery, Queensland Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
2. Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Interests: ear surgery; cleft lip and palate; hand surgery; pediatrics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

While there have been significant advancements in medical and dental technologies in recent years, the application of advanced technology in cleft lip and palate (CLP) management still faces several challenges and limitations, particularly in children and newborns. Under the need for specialized equipment, employing digital technology, advanced surgical/ non-surgical techniques, and introducing innovative protocols are some key avenues to facing this challenge. Continued research and innovation are essential to overcome management challenges and advance the field of surgical and orthodontic care of CLP children.

In this Special Issue, we explore the latest advancements in digital technology and innovative protocols for the treatment of children with cleft lip and palate, intending to revolutionize CLP management, offering more precise orthodontic, orthopedic, and surgical outcomes and improved patient care. From novel orthodontic and surgical techniques to virtual rehabilitation programs, this issue aims to showcase the transformative potential of digital technology and innovative clinical protocols in enhancing the outcomes and the quality of life for children and infants with cleft lip and palate.

Dr. Ghassan Idris
Prof. Dr. Robert Love
Dr. Stuart Bade
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cleft lip and palate diagnosis and management in children and infants
  • surgical approach and protocols for children with cleft lip and palate
  • orthodontic treatment for children with cleft lip and palate
  • orthopedic treatment for children and infants with cleft lip and palate
  • naso-alveolar molding for infants with cleft lip and palate
  • digital technology use in children with cleft lip and palate
  • computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing in the management of children with cleft lip and palate
  • telemedicine role patient-centered care (foundation to safe and high-quality health care in children with cleft lip and palate)

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 1230 KB  
Article
Morphometric Analysis of the Infraorbital Foramen in Children and Adolescents with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A CBCT Study
by Emre Haylaz, Fahrettin Kalabalık, Ismail Gumussoy, Suayip Burak Duman, Muhammet Can Eren, Seyda Say, Furkan Osman Akarçay and Emre Aytuğar
Children 2025, 12(10), 1289; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12101289 - 24 Sep 2025
Viewed by 622
Abstract
Aim: A precise understanding of the morphometric characteristics of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) is essential for ensuring safe and effective surgical interventions and regional anesthesia in children and adolescents with cleft lip and palate (CLP). This study aimed to investigate the morphometric characteristics [...] Read more.
Aim: A precise understanding of the morphometric characteristics of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) is essential for ensuring safe and effective surgical interventions and regional anesthesia in children and adolescents with cleft lip and palate (CLP). This study aimed to investigate the morphometric characteristics of the IOF using CBCT in children and adolescents with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and to compare the cleft side (CS) with the non-cleft side (NCS). Materials and Method: CBCT scans of 48 individuals with UCLP were analyzed, evaluating a total of 96 IOFs. Reference anatomical landmarks included the supraorbital margin (SOM), infraorbital margin (IOM), nasion (N), anterior nasal spine (ANS), tuber maxilla (TM), sella (S), lateral margin of the apertura piriform (LAP), jugale (J), and midline (M). Distances from the IOF to these landmarks were measured and compared between the CS and NCS. Soft tissue thickness over the IOF was also assessed, and the IOF shape was evaluated separately for each side. Results: The V-oval form was the most common IOF shape on both sides. No significant differences were found in vertical or horizontal diameters between the CS and NCS (p > 0.05). Distances from the IOF to IOM, SOM, S, N, LAP, and midline were significantly shorter on the CS (p < 0.05), whereas distances to ANS and J were significantly longer on the CS (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in IOF-TM distances or soft tissue thickness (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In individuals with UCLP, the IOF exhibits significant side-specific variations relative to key anatomical landmarks. These differences should be considered in infraorbital nerve block administration and surgical planning to improve accuracy and safety. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 509 KB  
Review
Exploring Current Trends, Challenges and Future Directions of Intraoral Digital Impression in the Management of Patients with Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Narrative Literature Review
by Jyotsna Unnikrishnan, Mahmoud Bakr, Robert M. Love and Ghassan Idris
Children 2025, 12(12), 1579; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12121579 - 21 Nov 2025
Viewed by 371
Abstract
Introduction: Cleft lip and palate (CL/P) patients require long-term interdisciplinary care to enhance function, aesthetics, and quality of life. Digital impressions (DI) using intraoral scanners (IOS) have become a viable substitute for traditional impressions in all areas of dentistry, including CL/P care. [...] Read more.
Introduction: Cleft lip and palate (CL/P) patients require long-term interdisciplinary care to enhance function, aesthetics, and quality of life. Digital impressions (DI) using intraoral scanners (IOS) have become a viable substitute for traditional impressions in all areas of dentistry, including CL/P care. This review summarises the literature on DI’s potential to replace conventional impressions (CI) in the care of CL/P patients, evaluating clinical integration, accuracy, patient and clinician perceptions, and implementation challenges. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to identify all published studies utilising digital impressions in the clinical care of cleft lip and palate (CL/P) patients up to March 2024. Predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Out of 503 initially retrieved records, 27 studies met the final eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Results: DI demonstrated comparable accuracy to CI in capturing oral structures in CL/P patients, with minimal discrepancies in intra-arch measurements. Patients and parents perceived DI as less invasive and more comfortable, while clinicians noted reduced respiratory complications. Challenges included capturing deep cleft areas and managing unique neonatal and infant anatomy. The review highlights the need for further research on optimal scanning techniques, scanner design, and standardised protocols to enhance DI effectiveness in CL/P care. Conclusions: DI is a viable alternative to CI in CL/P management, offering efficient, patient-centred workflows. Integrating digital technologies can enhance clinical outcomes, but ongoing research is essential to refine scanning strategies, improve accuracy, and address anatomical challenges in this population. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop