Principles of orofacial cleft classification: historical perspectives and contemporary concepts
https://doi.org/10.33925/1683-3031-2025-973
Abstract
Relevance. The available literature confirms that classification of orofacial clefts remains a pressing issue: there is no universally accepted system and no common criteria for constructing one.
Objective. To review the evolution of orofacial cleft classification systems and propose an expanded framework.
Materials and methods. We reviewed Russian and international sources (1976–2023), retrieved via extended search capabilities across multiple bibliographic databases.
Results. The article describes the principles and approaches used to construct classifications of orofacial clefts, tracing their historical development and current concepts.
Conclusion. Classifications based on anatomical, morphological, clinical, and embryologic principles have largely been exhausted. Accordingly, etiopathogenesis-based classifications should serve as the most effective tool for understanding, prevention, and treatment of this congenital craniofacial anomaly. The authors present an etiopathogenetic classification of orofacial clefts.
About the Authors
I. V. Mouratov
North-Western State Medical University named after I. I. Mechnikov; Saint-Petersburg Medico-Social Institute; Filatov Children's City Clinical Hospital No. 5; Saint Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Igor V. Mouratov, DDS, Assistant Professor, Department of the Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery; Senior Lecturer, Department of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Doctor of Maxillofacial Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgeon
Saint Petersburg
L. N. Soldatova
Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University; S. M. Kirov Military Medical Academy
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Lyudmila N. Soldatova, DMD, PhD, DSc, Professor, Department of the Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics; Senior Lecturer, Department of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
L. Tolstoy St., 6-8, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation 197022
S. A. Kobzeva
Saint-Petersburg Medico-Social Institute; Adeptika Dental Training Centre
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Svetlana A. Kobzeva, DMD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of the Prosthodontics; Chief Medical Officer
Saint Petersburg
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For citations:
Mouratov I.V., Soldatova L.N., Kobzeva S.A. Principles of orofacial cleft classification: historical perspectives and contemporary concepts. Pediatric dentistry and dental prophylaxis. 2025;25(2). (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.33925/1683-3031-2025-973
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