Project Overview

Orofacial Clefting

Orofacial clefting, more commonly known as cleft palate, affects approximately 1-500 live births globally. The first step in the treatment of cleft infants is the creation of a dental model, used for surgical planning and the creation of pre-surgical appliances. 3D scanning and conventional impression techniques are utilised at the start of the dental model process.

Conventional impression techniques are dangerous when performed on cleft infants, having caused multiple fatalities. This results in stressful clinical environments for patients, parents, and clinicians.

Current intraoral scanning devices have proven difficult to use on cleft infants due to their bulky size and utilization of optic technologies unable to deliver the required scan depth. This has resulted in the continued use of conventional impression techniques

Design Research

Thorough research was conducted during the first six weeks of the project, with a mix of contextual observations, and expert interviews giving valuable insight into the issues faced during the treatment of cleft infants. This process was enhanced through collaboration with medical institutions, including the Herston Biofabrication Institute, the Queensland Children’s Hospital, and the Griffith University Oral Health Clinic.

The information gathered during this process was invaluable in the creation of a robust design solution.

Report & Literature Review

Unilateral Cleft

Thorough research was conducted during the first six weeks of the project, with a mix of contextual observations, and expert interviews giving valuable insight into the issues faced during the treatment of cleft infants. This process was enhanced through collaboration with medical institutions, including the Herston Biofabrication Institute, the Queensland Children’s Hospital, and the Griffith University Oral Health Clinic.

The information gathered during this process was invaluable in the creation of a robust design solution.

Research Timeline