Timing of palatal closure

Summary Three articles on the influence of timing of palatal closure on jaw development, ENT condition and speech are subjected to an overall evaluation. A number of questions are formulated, which are still to be answered before a well-founded decision on the timing of palatal surgery can be taken. The evidence presently available made the author conclude that the whole palate should be closed before the age of 18 months, at least if the development of speech has priority over development of the maxilla.