{"id":6977,"date":"2019-06-13T08:40:04","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T07:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/us\/?page_id=6977"},"modified":"2024-10-25T11:21:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T10:21:16","slug":"cleft-palate-lip","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/us\/cleft-palate-lip\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip: What Causes Them and How Are They Treated?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year, about 4,400 babies are born in the US with a cleft palate or cleft lip<\/strong>. Clefts are among the most common birth defects in the nation. Parents will have received a cleft lip ultrasound diagnosis during check-ups, but a cleft palate ultrasound doesn’t result in as easy a diagnosis. Although this can be worrying and distressing news for parents, it\u2019s reassuring to know that cleft palate treatment is widely practiced and very successful.<\/p>

Here, we\u2019ll walk you through some of the common questions people have about these conditions. We\u2019ll explain the difference between a cleft palate and lip, cleft palate and cleft lip causes, and what cleft lip and cleft palate surgery involves. You can also read about the implications for your child\u2019s teeth<\/a>, and how to address possible complications that may occur after surgery to repair an oral cleft.<\/p>

What is a cleft palate?<\/h2>

We can define the upper \u2018palate\u2019 as the roof or top of your mouth. The definition of a \u2018cleft\u2019 is a divide or split in something. So, the cleft palate definition is a hole or gap in the roof of the mouth<\/strong>. If there is a gap on both sides of the mouth, this is known as a bilateral cleft palate.<\/p>

A soft cleft palate is when the gap occurs to the back of the mouth, towards the throat, and a hard cleft palate is when the cleft is towards the teeth. Some people develop only a soft cleft palate, while for others both the soft and hard parts of the roof of the mouth are affected.<\/p>

What is a cleft lip?<\/h2>
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Oral clefts can be unilateral or bilateral<\/figcaption><\/figure> <\/div>

Cleft lip used to be called harelip (sometimes understandably misspelled as hairlip). The definition of a cleft lip is when there is a gap, or notch, on one or both sides of the lip<\/strong>, sometimes reaching as far up as the nostrils.<\/p>

A bilateral cleft lip is when there are two notches, whereas a unilateral cleft lip is when there is only one notch or gap. Cleft lip repair and surgery will be the same whether your baby has a bilateral or unilateral cleft lip.<\/p>

Ask a dentist: When can you correct a cleft lip? <\/div>
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Most children with a cleft lip or cleft palate undergo a corrective procedure within their first 18 months of life. The number of surgical procedures necessary to repair the cleft will depend on the extent of the child\u2019s condition. <\/p>

A team of specialists is usually involved in a cleft lip or palate repair, including an oral surgeon, dentist and a pediatrician. Depending on the child\u2019s age, a speech pathologist may also be involved to help them establish proper articulation.<\/p>

Dr. Rick Kapitan DDS<\/strong><\/p>

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What causes cleft lip and cleft palate?<\/h2>

The answer to what causes cleft palate and what causes cleft lip is generally the same, although a cleft palate on its own is more common, accounting for about 45% of cases. Doctors are unsure about exact cleft lip and cleft palate causes, but there are some ideas, including:<\/p>

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Find out all about clefts<\/figcaption><\/figure> <\/div>