Obturators - Right Of Being Human

Oro-facial clefts are birth defects in which there is an opening in the lip and/or palate (roof of the mouth) that is caused by incomplete development during early fetal formation. The cleft palate is associated with feeding difficulties, eustachian tube-dysfunction, middle ear effusions, middle ear infections, hearing loss, speech disorders, dental and orthodontic problems,making it one of the most common major birth defects. Clefts occur more often in children of Asian, Latino, or Native American descent. The good news is that both cleft lip and cleft palate are treatable. Feeding plate as an Obturator is a prosthetic aid that is designed to seal the cleft and restore the separation between oral and nasal cavities. A cleft can occur on one side of the mouth (unilateral clefting) or on both sides of the mouth (bilateral clefting). Cleft lip with or without cleft palate is generally more common among boys; however, cleft palate occurring alone is more common in girls than boys.For the most part, because a cleft lip is visible it is often easier to identify than a cleft palate alone. A cleft lip may be detected through p r e n a t a l u l t r a s o u n d ; h o w e v e r, diagnosing a cleft palate this way is more difficult and it might not be seen. Even if a cleft condition is detected during pregnancy, the diagnosis and extent of cleft lip and palate is confirmed by physical examination after the birth of the child. Moreover, increased lifespan, quality living and growing awareness of health care needs and services pose the operator to be very well-versed with the techniques and materials, along with the biological aspects of the patient’s conditions and concerns (especially involving a newborn child) to be able to restore their smiles back to normal lifelike appearance and utmost well-being. Thefeeding plate obturates the cleft and restores the separation between oral and nasal cavities. It creates a rigid platform towards which the baby can press the