Orthodontic-Surgical Partnership in Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment

Dr. Samuel Berkowitz, an orthodontist, was a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Surgery associated with the South Florida Craniofacial Anomalies Program at the University of Miami School of Medicine. He was also Adjunct Clinical Professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Dentistry – Orthodontic Department, and and at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. His main goal is to develop teaching materials in cleft palate for professionals in plastic and oral surgery, orthodontics, and speech language pathology. Dr. Berkowitz has published widely in medical and cleft palate journals and is the author of several books. His research interest focused on improving surgical-orthodontic treatment planning for cleft lip and palate children as well as those with other craniofacial anomalies. He is a past President of the American Cleft Palate Association Educational Foundation, and the Florida Cleft Palate Association, and was President of the Miami Craniofacial Anomalies Foundation. Dr. Berkowitz was active in the American Association of Orthodontics and the Florida Cleft Palate Association. He has been awarded the title “Honoree” by the Edward Angle Society of Orthodontists, and “Honoree” by the First World Congress of the International Lip and Palate Foundation for his many contributions to the field of cleft lip and palate treatment. His extensive serial clinical records of dental casts, lateral cephaloradiographs, facial and intraoral photographs, and panorexes are in the National Museum of Health and Medicine (associated with Walter Reed Hospital’s Institute of Pathology in Washington D.C), where they will be available for continued study.

Introduction to Cleft Lip Palate: The Normal Face and Facial Palatal Problems.- Embryogenesis and Causes of Clefting.- Variations in Cleft Types.- Qualification of Cleft Team Members. Orthodontic and Surgical Treatment of Cleft Lip Palate: Presurgical Orthodontics.- Molding - Geometric Relationships.- Palatal Surgery.- Lip Surgery.- Orthodontic Treatment to Reduce Anterior Openbite.- Various Possible Treatments. Pitfalls and Future Directions in Cleft Lip Palate Treatment: The value of Longitudinal Facial & Dental Cast Records.- The reasons for Success and Failure.- Result of Early Surgical Setback.- A Multicenter Retrospective.- Questions to be answered.- Conclusion.