Orofacial Clefts and Abnormal Craniofacial Development.

Catalog description

This course provides information needed for understanding of concepts related to disturbed and compromised craniofacial growth. It forms a necessary background that makes possible to distinguish and diagnose craniofacial abnormalities. Principles of developmental craniofacial biology and craniofacial embryology are reviewed and continuously updated with new findings and discoveries. Particular emphasis is given to molecular regulation of craniofacial morphogenesis, abnormal neural crest formation (leading to Treacher Collins syndrome, Pierre Robin sequence, DiGeorge sequence, and Hemifacial Microsomia), and molecular regulation of skeletal morphogenesis and disorders comprising the FGFR-related craniosynostosis spectrum (Apert, Crouzon, Pfeiffer, Muenke, Jackson-Weiss, and Beare-Stevenson syndromes). In order to build a solid foundation for the clinical dental treatment and, specifically, for orthodontic treatment of orofacial clefts (cleft lip, cleft and palate and cleft palate only) – complex etiology of these anomalies, that is influenced by a genetic background and environmental factors, is explained. Points of origin and importance of precise diagnosis of nonsyndromic and syndromic cases are emphasized. (Quarter 4.).