Bridging the Gap: Emerging Orthodontic Strategies in Cleft Lip and Palate Regeneration

Abstract

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is a common congenital craniofacial anomaly that significantly affects facial aesthetics, oral function, and overall quality of life, requiring long-term multidisciplinary management. Conventional treatment approaches, including presurgical orthopedics and surgical repair, have improved outcomes but are often associated with limitations such as graft resorption, scarring, altered growth patterns, and the need for repeated interventions. From an orthodontic perspective, challenges persist in achieving stable alveolar bone continuity, optimal tooth eruption, and long-term occlusal harmony. Recent advances in regenerative medicine and digital technology are transforming cleft care toward a more precise and patient-specific approach. Innovations such as tissue engineering, stem cell therapy, 3D and 4D bioprinting, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence–assisted planning have demonstrated potential in enhancing alveolar bone regeneration, improving eruption guidance, and maintaining arch form. Digital workflows and telemedicine further improve accessibility and treatment efficiency. This review highlights these emerging strategies and their orthodontic implications, emphasizing their role in improving treatment predictability and reducing intervention burden. Despite promising outcomes, challenges related to cost, accessibility, and long-term clinical validation remain. The integration of regenerative and digital approaches represents a significant step toward personalized, growth-adaptive cleft management.