Cleft Lip & Palate
When Do Cleft Lips Form?
During early pregnancy separate areas of a child’s face develop individually and then join together, including the left and right sides of the roof of the mouth and lips. However, if the sections don’t meet the result is a cleft. If the separation occurs in the upper lip, the child is said to have a cleft lip.
A completely formed lip is important not only for a normal facial appearance but also for sucking and to form certain sounds made during speech. A cleft lip is a condition that creates an opening in the upper lip between the mouth and nose. It looks as though there is a split in the lip. It can range from a slight notch in the colored portion of the lip to complete separation in one or both sides of the lip extending up and into the nose. A cleft on one side is called a unilateral cleft. If a cleft occurs on both sides, it is called a bilateral cleft.
A cleft in the gum may occur in association with a cleft lip. This may range from a small notch in the gum to a complete division of the gum into separate parts. A similar defect in the roof of the mouth is called a cleft palate.
How Are Cleft Palates Formed?
The palate is the roof of your mouth. It is made of bone and muscle and is covered by a thin, wet skin that forms the covering inside the mouth. You can feel your own palate by running your tongue over the top of your mouth. Its purpose is to separate your nasal cavity from your mouth. The palate has an extremely important role during speech because when you talk it prevents air from blowing out of your nose instead of your mouth. The palate is also very important when eating; it prevents food and liquids from going up into the nose.
As in cleft lip, a cleft palate occurs in early pregnancy when separate areas of the face develop individually and do not join together properly. A cleft palate occurs when there is an opening in the roof of the mouth. 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 just an opening at the back of the soft palate to a nearly complete separation of the roof of the mouth (soft and hard palate).
Sometimes a baby with a cleft palate may have a small chin and a few babies with this combination may have difficulties breathing easily. This condition may be called Pierre Robin sequence.
Since the lip and palate develop separately, it is possible for a child to be born with a cleft lip, palate or both. Cleft defects occur in about 1 out of every 800 babies.
Children born with one or both of these conditions usually need the skills of several professionals to manage the problems associated with the defect such as feeding, speech, hearing, and psychological development. In most cases, surgery is recommended. When surgery is done by an experienced, qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon such as Dr. DeFalco, the results can be quite positive.
Seeking treatment foe a cleft lip or palate?
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!
Cleft Lip Treatment
Cleft lip surgery is usually performed when the child is about ten years old. The goal of surgery is to close the separation, restore muscle function, and provide a normal shape to the mouth. The nostril deformity may be improved as a result of the procedure, or may require a subsequent surgery.
Cleft Palate Treatment
A cleft palate is initially treated with surgery safely when the child is between 7 to 18 months old. This depends upon the individual child and his/her own situation. For example, if the child has other associated health problems, it is likely that the surgery will be delayed.
The major goals of cleft palate surgery are to:
- Close the gap or hole between the roof of the mouth and the nose
- Reconnect the muscles that make the palate work
- Make the repaired palate long enough so that it can perform its function properly
There are many different techniques that surgeons will use to accomplish these goals. The choice of techniques may vary between surgeons and should be discussed between the parents and the surgeon prior to surgery.
The cleft hard palate is generally repaired between the ages of 8 and 12, when the cuspid teeth begin to develop. The procedure involves placement of bone from the hip into the bony defect, and closure of the communication from the nose to the gum tissue in three layers. It may also be performed in teenagers and adults as an individual procedure, or combined with corrective jaw surgery.
What can be expected after the surgery?
After the palate has been fixed children will immediately have an easier time swallowing food and liquids. However, in about one out of every five children that have the cleft palate repaired, a portion of the repair will split, causing a new hole to form between the nose and mouth. If small, this hole may result in only an occasional minor leakage of fluids into the nose. If large however, it can cause significant eating problems, and most importantly, can even affect how the child speaks. This hole is referred to as a “fistula,” and may need further surgery to correct.
Advanced Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Great Staff. Excellent environment. Dr. DeFalco is very caring and professional. Highly skilled.
- Gregory C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr Defalco was very friendly, informative about procedure. Would recommend him for sure.
- Bill I
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Outstanding patient care, I was put at ease by Dr. DeFalco's friendly staff as soon as I got thru the door. Dr. DeFalco is truly an expert in his field, his technique is caring, painless and over before u realize.
- Steve R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very professional, friendly
- Thomas H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
just a great experience.
- Joe C C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very pleased with the service I received from Dr. DeFalco and how professional the staff are. Their office is so easy to get to and very clean. My pain was severe and Katie placed me on the cancellation list. I was more than happy when she called me back to get me in before a long weekend. I give this office A+ for taking care of me and following up the next day. I highly recommend this office. Thank you!!!
- Miriam P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I cant even put into words how wonderful dr de falco and his entire staff are!!!!! I had to have a tooth extracted and was very nervous. From just calling to scheduling my appointment, i knew i was going to a caring, kind, and expert place!!!!! Everyone there is so kind and caring. I am so happy I was actually amazed that there were no scarey things to see. Nothing! No instruments….nothingg but a nice tv show on! It was so fast and totally painless! I highly recommend dr de falco and his wonderful staff!!!!!!! Very happy patient…i am
- Joann K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had bad experiences with dentists since I was very young I am so impressed by your office about removing a tooth. Your office is absolutely amazing. I highly recommend your office to anyone. Friendly staff clean office very accommodating about scheduling and getting in and having work done I can’t thank you and your staff enough for giving me the confidence that I have been lacking for a very long time
- JoAnn Regino
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I needed to have a wisdom tooth removed. There was a concern because I am well over forty years of age. The procedure went extremely well. I could not believe how fast the procedure took. The staff and Dr De Falco are excellent. Highly recommend them. Very professional and courteous. Thank you to Dr. De Falco and his staff
- Tom M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr DeFalco is a no nonsense Oral surgeon. Straight forward in dealing with my case.I was in an out with my wisdom tooth pain misery taken out. Hats off Dr. Robert
- Rafael Ramon R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I got my Wisdom teeth out and the Surgery Couldn’t of gone any more perfect. The staff was beyond helpful during the procedure and it was the cleanest/easiest extraction. You are always in their best interest. They will call you a day after your procedure to make sure you are doing well and answer any questions you may have. Just overall a great experience and very professional. Thanks Again!
- Alfred N
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very friendly and professional service.
- Larry G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Second tooth extraction...best oral surgeon ever!!! Very talented with extraction and great personality. Erick and painless! Wife got one taken it too...same comments.
- Walt H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Was highly recommended to see Dr.D for 2 extractions...from booking my appointment to having them extracted everything was done professionally...Dr.D and his staff get an A +...he explained everything he was doing and reassured me that the pain would be minimal and procedures quick...everything was true...thank you Dr.D and staff....would highly recommend this practice...
- Jeff S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. DeFalco took me in as an emergency. His staff made the entire process easy - patient forms, insurance, everything. On the day of the procedure, I was taken in at the scheduled time (zero wait time), and was finished pain-free in about 15 minutes. The entire visit could not have been better. I am grateful to Dr. DeFalco and all his staff for their care, compassion, and professionalism.
- Alex K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I got two Wisdom teeth extracted by Dr. DeFalco last month and it was the best dental experience i've ever had! I previously got my other wisdom teeth removed by another surgeon and was horrible in pain for several weeks. Dr. DeFalco and his staff made the whole process seamless. He walked me through the entire procedure and made sure I was comfortable the whole time. The extraction sites healed perfectly and I only experienced mild pain for 2 days. I'm so happy I decided to go here and would definitely recommend it for all your oral surgery needs. Thank you to Dr. DeFalco and his staff!
- Yanni T
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Excellent care clean fast efficient
- Kathy D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My son had 4 wisdom teeth removed. Dr. DeFalco and his staff are wonderful. They walked us through every step and made us completely at ease. They are professional and friendly and I would absolutely recommend to anyone!
- Karen C.
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr D has so much love for what he does and he cares so much about his patients. How many offices call you the next day , to see how you feel? Not too many in my opinion. People need a Dentist that is a one on one, not these big offices that everytime you go there you see someone else. I want and need a one on one and Dr D delivers this to the max.... Love all of the staff and do not have any fears when I walk in the door.
- Donna S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The process in this office, the doctor and the staff - the best. No one likes to endure dental work, but this office brings it to a level where it's really no big deal. And again, 100% painless.
- Edward R