Purpose: The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the need for regular life-long follow-up care of cleft lip and palate patients to maintain adequate masticatory function, speech, and esthetics, thereby supporting psychosocial function.
Materials and methods: Initial and revisional prosthodontic 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 possible to arrive at an improved clinical and radiologic state of oral health by the end of the observation period.
Conclusion: Regular life-long prosthodontic follow-up with adequate maintenance and revisional treatments should be regarded as an essential part of the long-term care for subjects with clefts.