A prosthodontic intervention in smile correction of a palatal cleft- A case report.

Abstract Cleft lip and palate defects are frequently encountered in our dental practices. The etiology of the defect is multifactorial and it is important to educate and create awareness of the treatment. Though many cases are treated surgically in infancy, many require a multidisciplinary approach for correction of the maligned teeth later in life. As the esthetic demands of the patient increases, they seek out for better treatment options. Surgical intervention with bone grafting is often done, to correct the defects along with orthodontic correction of malposed teeth. Nevertheless, prosthodontic intervention with conservative approach is widely accepted by the patients to correct the defect and replace the missing teeth along the site of defect. This article describes a treatment plan, with a prosthodontic correction of smile and replacement of maligned teeth with the help of a fixed denture prosthesis. It was accepted by the patient and the fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) improved the functional and esthetic demands of the patient.