subject: Healing Cleft Palates And Cleft Lips In Charlotte Nc [print this page] Cleft palate and cleft lip conditions affect about 1 out of every 800 babies. The two conditions are separate but related conditions, and a child may suffer from one of them or both.
Cleft palate
Cleft palate conditions are present at birth, when the roof of the mouth has not formed properly. Babies who suffer from a cleft palate defect will have a separation or opening in the roof of their mouth, or palate. This separation can allow food and liquid to pass through into the nose and it can prevent a baby from being able to suck and feed properly. In older children it can cause problems with speech because the separation will not allow them to form sounds properly.
Cleft lip
A cleft lip is when there is a separation in the skin of the upper lip. The separation often passes up and into the nose from the middle area of the upper lip. Nostril deformity may also be present. A cleft lip affects facial appearance, which can be difficult for a child to deal with for self-esteem and social reasons. A cleft lip can also affect speech and cause the child to be unable to make certain sounds that are formed with the upper lip. Also, it can cause difficulty in sucking and feeding for a baby.
Cleft palate and cleft lip surgery
Fortunately, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon can do wonders to correct the problem of a cleft palate or cleft lip through surgery. Cleft palate surgery usually takes place during infancy at around 7 to 18 months of age. In cleft palate surgery, the gap in the roof of the mouth will be closed and the necessary muscles reconnected, so that the child will be able to drink, eat and speak without difficulty.
Cleft lip conditions are usually corrected when children have reached about 10 years of age. The surgery involves creating an esthetically pleasing shape of the mouth while closing the gap in the lip and correcting any problems that might be present in the nostrils.
Each cleft problem is different, and there are a variety of techniques available to modern oral surgeons. You and your surgeon can discuss what options might be best for your child. Some may be easy to correct with one surgery, while others could be more complex and require multiple surgeries.
Find a Charlotte NC oral surgeon today
Charlotte NC parents can consult with oral and maxillofacial surgeons regarding the needs of children who suffer from cleft palate and cleft lip problems. They are highly experienced in performing surgery to correct cleft problems. Indeed, you can learn more about them and the services they provided through contacting them.
