Cleft
Lip & Palate

Cleft Lip & Palate

Cleft Lip

During early pregnancy, separate areas of the face develop individually and then join together, including the left and right sides of the roof of the mouth and lips. However, if some parts do not join properly, sections don’t meet, resulting in a cleft. If the separation occurs in the upper lip, the child is said to have a cleft lip.

A fully formed lip is important not only for a normal facial appearance but also for sucking and forming certain sounds made during speech. A cleft lip creates an opening in the upper lip between the mouth and nose, appearing as a split in the lip. It can range from a slight notch in the lip to a complete separation in one or both sides of the lip, extending up into the nose. A cleft on one side is called a unilateral cleft, and if on both sides, it is called a bilateral cleft.

A cleft in the gum may occur alongside a cleft lip, ranging from a small notch to a complete division of the gum. A similar defect in the roof of the mouth is called a cleft palate.

Cleft Palate

The palate is the roof of the mouth, made of bone and muscle, covered by a thin, wet skin that forms the red lining inside the mouth. It separates the nose from the mouth and plays a crucial role during speech by preventing air from blowing out of the nose instead of the mouth. The palate is also essential for eating, as it prevents food and liquids from entering the nose.

A cleft palate occurs when there is an opening in the roof of the mouth due to the separate areas not joining together properly during early pregnancy. The back of the palate is called the soft palate, and the front is known as the hard palate. A cleft palate can range from an opening at the back of the soft palate to a nearly complete separation of the roof of the mouth.

In some cases, babies with a cleft palate may have a small chin and experience breathing difficulties, a condition known as Pierre Robin sequence. Since the lip and palate develop separately, a child can be born with a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both. Cleft defects occur in about one out of every 800 babies.

Treatment and Management

Children born with cleft lip, cleft palate, or both often require the skills of several professionals to manage associated problems such as feeding, speech, hearing, and psychological development. Surgery is usually recommended and can yield positive results when performed by an experienced and qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Cleft Lip Treatment

Cleft lip surgery is typically performed when the child is about ten years old. The goal is to close the separation, restore muscle function, and provide a normal shape to the mouth. Nostril deformities may also be improved during this procedure or may require subsequent surgeries.

Cleft Palate Treatment

Cleft palate surgery is generally performed when the child is between 7 to 18 months old, depending on the child's individual situation and health. The primary goals of the surgery are to:

Close the gap between the roof of the mouth and the nose.

Reconnect the muscles that make the palate work.

Ensure the repaired palate is long enough to function properly.

Different surgical techniques may be used, and the choice of technique should be discussed with the surgeon prior to the operation.

Post-Surgery Expectations

After the palate repair, children will find it easier to swallow food and liquids. However, in about one out of every five cases, a portion of the repair may split, causing a new hole between the nose and mouth. If small, this hole may result in minor fluid leakage into the nose. If large, it can cause significant eating problems and affect speech. This hole, referred to as a “fistula,” may require further surgery to correct.

Contact Information:
My Best Facial Design
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