Combined surgical and orthodontic management of the oral abnormalities in children with cleidocranial dysplasia.

Children with cleidocranial dysplasia have dental abnormalities which combine to prevent normal tooth eruption, and which if untreated may result in abnormal facial and jaw growth. A technique combining orthodontics and oral surgery has resulted in the establishment of excellent occlusion and facial appearance in these patients. Recent advances in direct enamel bonding techniques for orthondontic attachments have permitted a conservative surgical approach with minimal bone removal during surgery to expose unerupted teeth prior to orthodontic treatment.