Cleidocranial dysplasia: Part 1--General principles of the orthodontic and surgical treatment modality.

Over several decades, occasional reports of dental treatment provided by an individual practitioner to patients suffering with cleidocranial dysplasia have appeared in the literature. In the past, the main treatment was prosthetic replacement. Orthodontic treatment has only recently been considered as a serious treatment option, with success being described in several aspects of this treatment modality, in published individual case reports. Given the rarity of the condition, guidelines for the treatment of cleidocranial dysplasia are difficult to find in the literature, because few practitioners have treated enough cases to be in a position to make such recommendations. Two different approaches have been proposed in the past and are discussed here. The relative advantages of a third approach are expounded in detail.