1.Can the teeth of a child with cleft lip and palate grow out? A child with cleft lip and palate can start teething at the age of 4-6 months like a normal child, and at the age of 2.5-3 years old, all the milk teeth will grow out. at the age of 6 years old, he will start replacing his teeth, and at the age of 12-13 years old, his teeth will change and turn into the teeth of a grown-up. However, due to the effect of the fissure in the dental bed, the teeth on both sides of the fissure will have different degrees of irregularity. Since the cleft area is just the site of the lateral incisors, some children will have a congenital lack of a lateral incisor. 2. How does the bite of a child with cleft lip and palate look like? Children with cleft lip and palate have different degrees of hypoplasia in the middle of the face due to inherent genetic factors and the influence of the surgical scar of the cleft palate, and the bite of the teeth is characterized by the reverse bite of the front teeth, with the lower teeth biting on the outer edge of the upper front teeth. The fastest development of the maxilla is at the age of 7-9 years, and parents often find that the reverse occlusion is aggravated, and the center of the face is relatively flat or slightly concave. 3. Pre-implant correction of irregular teeth and malocclusion in children with cleft lip and palate aged 8-9 years Children with cleft lip and palate aged 9-11 years need to undergo bone grafting surgery for the cleft of the dentition, but the teeth on both sides of the cleft are often tilted towards the cleft, which causes obstruction to the approach of the surgical incision and the closure of the implantation area, and influences the effect of bone grafting. Therefore, it is necessary to correct the irregular front teeth before bone grafting. 8-9 years old is the peak period of maxillary development, during the same period of time, you can correct the maxillary underdevelopment, promote the forward development of the maxilla by wearing braces, and correct the front teeth of the reverse occlusion. 4. Comprehensive correction of teeth irregularity and malocclusion after 12-13 years of age of children with cleft lip and palate. Neat teeth play an important role in the coordination and beauty of the face, and after children with cleft lip and palate have finished replacing their teeth at the age of 12-13 years old, we can evaluate their facial development and dental occlusion. For a few patients with underdeveloped maxilla and severe reverse occlusion, they need to wait until adulthood to change their occlusion and facial shape through orthognathic surgery. 5. Do I need to be hospitalized for the correction of irregular teeth and malocclusion? All orthodontic treatment is done on an outpatient basis and does not require hospitalization. After the braces are put on, patients are required to come back to the hospital for follow-up appointments 4-6 weeks to have the braces adjusted. the cycle of pre-implant orthodontic treatment at the age of 8-9 years old is about 1 year, and the cycle of comprehensive orthodontic treatment from the age of 12-13 years old onwards is about 2 years. 6. Dental Protection Advice for Children with Cleft Lip and Palate The correction of dental irregularities and malocclusion requires healthy teeth. Parents of children with cleft lip and palate need to pay special attention to the cleanliness of their child’s teeth, brushing every morning and evening, and not giving the child candy or snacks at night. Starting at the age of 3, children need to see a pediatric dentist and orthodontist every year, so that any problems are treated promptly and the best time for treatment is not missed.