A cleft lip or cleft palate can affect feeding, speech, hearing, dental growth, facial development, and a child’s confidence. Families need care that is clear, coordinated, and focused on each stage of their child’s growth.
At NJ Craniofacial Center, patients receive thoughtful evaluation and treatment from a team experienced in pediatric craniofacial conditions. Our approach brings together surgical planning, family education, feeding guidance, speech support, dental coordination, and long-term follow-up when needed.
If your child has been diagnosed before birth, shortly after delivery, or later in childhood, our team can help you understand what comes next. We provide cleft lip and cleft palate repair in New Jersey for families seeking skilled care in a supportive setting.
To schedule an evaluation, contact NJ Craniofacial Center and speak with our team about your child’s needs.
What Is Cleft Lip and Palate?
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.
NJ Craniofacial Team follows
evidence-based ACPA parameters for evaluating and treating children with cleft lip/palate.
Care for Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
A cleft forms when parts of the lip or roof of the mouth do not fully join during early development. A cleft lip affects the upper lip. A cleft palate affects the roof of the mouth. Some children have one condition, while others have both.
These conditions can vary widely. Some openings are small. Others involve the lip, gum line, nose, and palate. The type and severity of the cleft help guide the timing of care, the surgical plan, and the support your child may need as they grow.
Cleft conditions may affect:
● Feeding and weight gain
● Speech development
● Hearing and ear health
● Dental growth and tooth alignment
● Jaw and facial growth
● Nasal shape and breathing
● Social confidence and self-image
Many families first worry about feeding. Babies with an opening in the palate may have trouble creating the suction needed for nursing or standard bottle feeding. Special bottles, nipples, and feeding positions can help your baby receive enough nutrition while the surgical plan is being developed.
As children grow, speech can also be affected. The palate helps direct airflow during speech. When the palate does not close properly, speech may sound nasal or unclear. Children may also have a higher risk of fluid buildup in the ears, ear infections, or hearing concerns. These issues are why coordinated care is so helpful.
At NJ Craniofacial Center, treatment is planned around your child’s anatomy, age, health, development, and family goals. Some children need one primary surgery. Others need staged treatment over time, including speech therapy, orthodontic care, dental planning, bone grafting, or later revisions.
What Cleft Lip Surgery May Involve
Cleft lip repair is usually performed during infancy, depending on the child’s health and readiness for surgery. The goal is to close the separation in the lip while supporting normal function, facial balance, and a natural lip appearance.
During planning, the craniofacial surgeon evaluates the lip, nose, gum line, and surrounding facial structures. The surgical approach is customized to the child’s specific cleft pattern. In some cases, presurgical treatments may be recommended to help guide tissue position before repair.
Cleft lip surgery may help:
● Close the opening in the upper lip
● Improve lip shape and movement
● Support feeding and oral function
● Improve nasal symmetry when the nose is involved
● Reduce visible separation and support facial balance
Parents receive clear instructions before surgery so they know how to prepare. The team will review feeding guidelines, medication instructions, anesthesia planning, and what to expect on the day of the procedure.
After surgery, your child will need time to heal. Families are guided on incision care, feeding adjustments, activity limits, comfort measures, and follow-up visits. Swelling and bruising are expected at first and improve as healing progresses.
The first repair is an important step, but cleft care often continues as a child grows. Facial growth, speech, dental development, and social confidence are monitored over time so the team can recommend added care only when it is truly needed.
The NJ Craniofacial Team of Specialists Can Help
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:
Plastic surgeons
Orthodontics
Oral maxillofacial surgeons
Auditory or hearing specialists
Pediatricians
Speech pathologists
Pediatric dentists
Social workers
Otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialist)
Genetic counselors
Cleft Palate Treatment and Long-Term Support
Cleft palate repair [link to: “how successful is cleft palate repair”] focuses on closing the opening in the roof of the mouth and helping the palate function properly for feeding, speech, and growth. Timing depends on the child’s health, cleft type, feeding progress, and developmental needs.
The palate plays a major role in speech. It helps separate the mouth from the nose and controls airflow during sound production. When a palate opening remains untreated, a child may have difficulty forming certain sounds or may develop nasal-sounding speech.
Surgery is planned to support:
● Separation between the mouth and nasal cavity
● Better feeding function
● Speech development
● Healthy mouth and dental growth
● Reduced risk of certain related concerns
● Long-term facial and jaw development
Recovery after palate surgery requires careful home care. Your child may need soft foods, adjusted feeding methods, and temporary limits on objects placed in the mouth. The care team will explain how to protect the surgical site, manage discomfort, and identify signs that require a call to the office.
Some children benefit from speech therapy after palate repair. Therapy can help improve sound production, clarity, and communication confidence. Speech progress is monitored because some children may need added evaluation if air continues to escape through the nose during speech.
Ear and hearing care may also be part of the plan. Children with cleft palate may be more likely to develop middle ear fluid or hearing changes. Coordination with the right specialists helps families stay ahead of concerns that could affect speech and learning.
Dental care is another part of long-term treatment. When the gum line is involved, teeth may erupt in unusual positions or require orthodontic guidance. The craniofacial team works with dental and orthodontic providers to plan care around growth milestones.
Why Families Choose NJ Craniofacial Center
Families dealing with a cleft diagnosis need answers, not confusion. NJ Craniofacial Center provides care that is organized, compassionate, and focused on the whole child.
Our team understands that parents may feel overwhelmed when learning about surgery, feeding, speech, dental care, and future treatment needs. We take time to explain each step and help families make informed choices with confidence.
Patients benefit from:
● A team experienced in pediatric craniofacial care
● Surgical planning tailored to the child’s anatomy and development
● Support for feeding, speech, dental, and growth concerns
● Clear communication with parents and caregivers
● Follow-up care that adjusts as the child grows
● Local access for families in Morristown and across New Jersey
A team approach matters because cleft care often touches many parts of a child’s life. Surgery can close the lip or palate, but long-term success also depends on speech, hearing, dental health, growth, and emotional well-being.
At NJ Craniofacial Center, families are treated as partners. We answer questions, explain options, and help parents understand how each recommendation fits into the child’s care plan. The goal is to support function, appearance, comfort, and confidence through every stage of development.
Bone Grafting for Children with Gum Line Involvement
Some children with cleft lip and palate also have a gap in the gum line, known as the alveolar ridge. This area supports the teeth and helps stabilize the upper jaw. When bone is missing, permanent teeth may have trouble erupting into the right position.
Bone grafting may be recommended later in childhood, often before certain adult teeth come in. During this procedure, bone is placed into the cleft area to support tooth eruption, jaw stability, and future orthodontic care.
Bone grafting may help:
● Support permanent tooth eruption
● Improve gum and upper jaw structure
● Prepare for orthodontic treatment
● Support dental alignment
● Improve facial and mouth function
The timing is carefully planned. The team looks at dental development, imaging, orthodontic needs, and your child’s overall treatment history before recommending surgery.
A Clear Process for Parents
Every child’s plan is different, but families can expect a thoughtful process from the first visit onward.
Your child’s care may include:
1. Evaluation of the lip, palate, mouth, nose, teeth, and facial structure
2. Review of feeding, speech, hearing, and growth concerns
3. Discussion of surgical options and timing
4. Coordination with therapists, dental providers, and other specialists when needed
5. Surgery with clear preparation and recovery instructions
6. Ongoing follow-up as your child develops
This process helps parents understand what is needed now, what may be needed later, and how each step supports their child’s quality of life.
Schedule a Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate Consultation in New Jersey
If your child has a cleft lip, cleft palate, or another craniofacial concern, early evaluation can help you plan the right next step. NJ Craniofacial Center provides family-centered care for children in Morristown and across New Jersey.
Our team can review your child’s diagnosis, explain treatment options, and help you understand the timing of care. Whether you are preparing for your baby’s first surgery or seeking guidance for ongoing speech, dental, or facial growth needs, we are here to help.
Contact NJ Craniofacial Center today to schedule a consultation and learn how our team can support your child’s care.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What causes cleft lip and cleft palate?
Cleft lip and palate form when tissue of the upper lip or roof of the mouth does not fully join during early fetal development. Causes include a combination of genetic factors and environmental influences. A genetic counselor can help families understand whether hereditary factors play a role.
2. How is cleft lip and palate diagnosed?
A cleft lip and palate can often be detected during prenatal ultrasound, typically during the 18–20 week anatomy scan. If not identified before birth, it is usually diagnosed shortly after delivery during a physical examination.
3. At what age is cleft lip surgery performed?
Cleft lip repair is typically performed at around 3 months of age, once the baby has reached appropriate weight and health milestones. Cleft palate repair is usually completed between 9 and 18 months, depending on the child’s growth, development, and medical needs.
4. Can babies with cleft palate be fed?
Most babies with cleft palate cannot breastfeed directly because they are unable to create enough suction. However, expressed breast milk or formula can often be provided using specialized feeding systems such as the Haberman Feeder or Pigeon Cleft Palate Nipple. A feeding specialist can help families choose the best feeding approach before surgery.
5. How is cleft palate treated in children?
Treatment depends on the severity of the cleft and may include cleft lip repair, palate closure surgery, speech therapy, orthodontic care, hearing monitoring, bone grafting, and dental support. The goal is to restore normal function, support healthy development, and improve facial appearance.
6. When should cleft lip and palate treatment begin?
Care often begins soon after diagnosis and may even start before birth if the cleft is identified during prenatal imaging. Early consultation helps parents prepare for feeding challenges, surgical timelines, and the specialized care their child may need after delivery.
7. Will my child need multiple procedures?
Some children only require one primary repair, while others benefit from staged treatment that may include speech therapy, orthodontic care, bone grafting, dental treatment, or revision surgery. Each treatment plan is personalized based on the child’s anatomy, growth, and long-term developmental needs.
8. Does insurance cover cleft palate surgery?
Cleft lip and palate surgery is generally considered medically necessary and is typically covered by most health insurance plans. Costs may vary depending on the procedure, hospital setting, anesthesia, and additional therapies required. Our team can help families understand insurance coverage and coordinate care.
9. Which parent carries the cleft palate gene?
Cleft conditions may involve both genetic and environmental factors, and many cases do not have a single identifiable cause. In some families, inherited traits may contribute to the condition. Genetic counseling and medical evaluation can help determine whether family history plays a role.
