Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth defects seen in infants and children. The incomplete formation of the upper lip (cleft lip) or roof of the mouth (cleft palate) can occur individually, or both defects may occur together. The conditions can vary in severity and may involve one or both sides of the face. A cleft, or separation of the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth, occurs early in fetal development. Cleft lip and cleft palate occur when certain components of the upper lip and roof of the mouth fail to form normally. Cleft lip repair and cleft palate repair are plastic surgery procedures performed in order to restore function and to create a normal appearance.
The surgical operations required for each cleft lip and cleft palate patient depend on the type and degree of the anomaly. Cleft palate surgery and cleft lip treatment will be modified depending on each patient’s specific anatomy. Surgery on the lip is generally performed at around 3 months of life and surgery on the palate is commonly performed at around 1 year.
Most clefts can be repaired through specialized plastic surgery techniques, performed by plastic surgeons who are specially trained in craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery. The surgical treatment of cleft lip and cleft palate will improve your child’s ability to eat, speak and breathe.
For additional information about the condition, see “For the Parent of Newborns with Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate“, published by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.
Early evaluation and intervention by the NJ Craniofacial team of cleft lip surgery and cleft palate treatment specialists can provide your child with the essential care they need in order to live a normal life. Our team works together to develop a course of treatment, including surgical repair of the cleft, speech rehabilitation and dental restoration. Our team of Craniofacial specialists includes:
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when the tissue that normally covers the roof of the mouth (palate) does not form properly. A cleft lip is a split in the upper lip. The cleft palate is a split in the roof of the mouth.
Cleft lip and cleft palate can occur separately or together. They can also range from mild to severe. Cleft lip and/or cleft palate can be repaired with surgery.
A cleft lip and palate can be diagnosed prenatally through routine ultrasound. If a cleft is found, the parents will typically be referred to a craniofacial specialist.
If the cleft is not found prenatally, it will usually be detected soon after the baby is born. The doctor will look to see if the baby has a gap in the roof of his or her mouth and will check for other birth defects.
Treatment of a cleft lip and palate depends on the severity of the defect. Children with a minor cleft may only require surgery to close the lip. However, children with a more severe cleft may also require surgery to rebuild the roof of the mouth (palate) and repair other defects. The goal of cleft lip and palate treatment is to restore function and appearance as closely as possible to what would have been present if there had never been a cleft. Rehabilitation, including speech therapy, may also be necessary after surgery.
Cleft lip and palate babies require a lot of care as they grow up. They may have to see a speech therapist, a dentist, and an orthodontist to help them with their problems.
Some kids with cleft lips need surgery to fix the problem. This surgery can be done when the baby is very young, or it can wait until the child is older. If you have a baby born with a cleft lip or palate, be sure to ask your doctor what kind of care your child will need.
To schedule a private consultation with NJ Craniofacial Center, please call our office or request an appointment online. We look forward to your visit.
131 Madison Avenue, Third Floor, Morristown, NJ 07960