Ask a Dentist

June 23, 2023

Q: How Can I Treat My Child’s Cleft Lip / Cleft Palate?

Four stages of child's cleft lip

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth doesn’t develop properly while the baby is in the womb. Evidence suggests that these conditions could be genetic, while additional research suggests a combination of genetic and environmental factors could come to play, such as smoking, diabetes or the use of certain medications. 

Ordinarily, body tissue and special cells from each side of the head grow towards the centre of the face and join to facial features, like the lips and mouth. A cleft lip happens if the tissue that makes up the lip doesn’t join together. Children with a cleft lip can also have a cleft palate. A cleft palate happens when the roof of the mouth doesn’t develop properly, leaving a gap.

How Do I Know If My Child Has A Cleft Lip Or Cleft Palate?

In most cases, you’re able to notice these conditions right away at birth. Increasingly, parents can notice these on ultrasounds before the baby is born. During your ultrasound, your doctor can see the difference in facial structure around the 13th week of pregnancy. As the fetus continues to develop, it’ll be easier to accurately diagnose a cleft lip. By itself, a cleft palate is harder to see using ultrasound.

How Are Cleft Lips And Cleft Palates Treated?

Both require surgery to be corrected. For infants with only a cleft lip, a surgeon can repair the abnormality within the first few months of life. A plastic surgeon sutures the two sides of the lip together, leaving a scar that blends into the lip, fixing the separation. 

Cleft palate repairs are typically done within the first 18 months of life or earlier if possible. It’s a complicated surgery and many children will need additional surgical procedures as they grow. A plastic surgeon uses tissue from either side of the mouth to fill the cleft palate gap. 

Your surgeon will explain the details of the surgery, risks, complications, costs, recovery time and outcomes during your first visit. 

Our goal at Dental Image Therapy Centres is to provide the highest quality dental care in a comfortable and relaxed environment to patients of all ages. Our staff are specially trained to treat infants, children and teens, including patients with special needs. If you are searching for a friendly and caring pediatric dental practice in Winnipeg, we’re currently accepting new patients, and we invite you to visit us at Garden City Shopping Centre or St. Vital Centre. 

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