Novel Classification Systems, Indices, Scales, and Grading Systems for Orofacial Clefts: An Overview of Current Literature

A BSTRACT According to WHO, cleft lip and/or palate is the most common congenital anomaly of the craniofacial region in humans. Orofacial clefts have a worldwide prevalence of 1 in 1000 to 1500 births. These deformities adversely impact normal functions, esthetics, and psychosocial aspects. Furthermore, the quality of life of affected individuals is also negatively influenced. The timely surgical treatment is of paramount importance in enhancing the treatment outcomes. For comprehensive assessment of the disease/anomaly, treatment needs, treatment planning, and treatment outcomes, classification systems for the orofacial clefts are considered crucial. Standard, reliable, specific, or ideal classification systems can assist in accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment planning, and its epidemiology. Several novel modern classification systems, scales, grading systems, or outcome measure tools related to various orofacial clefts, surgical repair, and orthodontic treatment have been introduced by the recently published studies to overcome the limitations of traditional ones. Even digital technologies such as 3D-CT, CBCT, or artificial intelligence have been mentioned in development of classification systems. Comprehensive reviews are considered very useful for gaining current updated knowledge and insights. However, there is lack of comprehensive review articles in this regard. Therefore, the current narrative review article was started with the aim to showcase and summarize the current evidence-based literature about the contemporary novel classification systems and outcome measure tools (indices, scales or grading systems) pertinent to oro-facial clefts. Pertinent literature was explored systematically from ‘PubMed’, ‘Scielo’, ‘Cochrane’, and ‘Lilacs’ and also through manual methods. In this review article, different aspects of recently reported classification systems have been discussed.