palatoplasty is a surgical procedure to repair the palate (the roof of the mouth). It is most commonly used to close a cleft palate or correct related palatal defects. The goal is to separate the mouth from the nose and support normal speech and feeding. It is typically performed within a multidisciplinary cleft or craniofacial care team.

cleft lip and palate surgery is a set of operations used to repair openings (clefts) in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate), or both. It aims to restore more typical anatomy so that feeding, speech, breathing, and dental development can be better supported. It is commonly performed by a cleft/craniofacial team that may include plastic surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, ENT specialists, dentists, and orthodontists. Treatment is usually staged over time because the face, jaws, and teeth continue to grow and develop.

An **alveolar cleft graft** is a procedure that places bone into a gap in the **alveolar ridge** (the tooth-bearing part of the upper jaw). It is most commonly used for people born with a **cleft lip and/or cleft palate** that includes a split in the gumline area. The goal is to build a continuous bony ridge so teeth and the dental arch have stable support. It is typically coordinated with orthodontic and surgical cleft care.

scar revision is a group of procedures used to improve the appearance, texture, or function of a scar. It does not “erase” a scar; it aims to make a scar less noticeable or less restrictive. In dental and oral–maxillofacial care, it may be used for scars on the face, lips, or neck after injury or surgery. It can also be relevant after procedures near the mouth that heal with visible or symptomatic scarring.

soft tissue repair is a dental restorative approach that uses resin-based materials to rebuild or modify “soft tissue–colored” areas on a dental restoration. It is most commonly used to repair or recontour pink/gingival portions of dentures, implant prostheses, or other prosthetic work where gum tissue is being simulated. In practice, soft tissue repair materials are handled similarly to composite resins: they are placed in layers, light-cured, and then finished and polished. The goal is typically esthetic blending, surface sealing, and restoring contour where a prosthesis has chipped, worn, or needs adjustment.

laceration repair is the clinical process of closing a cut (laceration) in soft tissue so it can heal in an aligned, stable way. In dentistry, it most often refers to repairing cuts inside the mouth or around the lips after trauma or dental procedures. It commonly involves cleaning the wound and bringing the tissue edges together with sutures (stitches) or, in selected cases, tissue adhesive. The goals are to support healing, reduce bleeding, and restore normal function and comfort.

circummandibular wiring is a technique where a surgical wire is passed around the lower border of the mandible (lower jaw) to hold something in place. It is most often used to secure splints, stabilize fractures, or support fixation in jaw surgery, especially when bone is thin or teeth are limited. In plain terms, it is a “loop-around-the-jaw” wiring method that helps keep the jaw or attached devices stable during healing.

wiring is the use of thin metal wire in dental care to hold, guide, or stabilize teeth and oral structures. It is commonly used in orthodontics, dental trauma stabilization, and some surgical settings. wiring may be tied around brackets or bonded to teeth with dental resin (a tooth-colored adhesive material). The exact wire type and technique depend on the clinical goal and the patient’s anatomy.

A resorbable plate is a temporary fixation device used to hold bone segments in a stable position while healing occurs. It is made from polymers that gradually break down in the body over time. In dentistry, it is most commonly used in oral and maxillofacial surgery (jaw and facial bone procedures). It may be used with matching resorbable screws or pins, depending on the system.

A titanium plate is a thin, rigid piece of medical-grade titanium designed to stabilize bone. In dentistry and oral surgery, it is most commonly used to hold facial or jaw bones in position while they heal. It is typically secured with small screws and shaped to fit the patient’s anatomy. Use varies by clinician and case, as well as by plate system and manufacturer.