Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Care To Find Their Smile
From the first moment you realize your life is going to change to the first time you hear that precious heartbeat, you imagine every inch of your new baby. We know a diagnosis of cleft lip or cleft palate can be surprising and overwhelming. While cleft lip and palate are some of the most common birth defects that affect a baby’s face, that doesn’t make the diagnosis any easier for parents to hear.
At AdventHealth for Children, our compassionate and experienced team of experts is here for you. While we have successfully cared for thousands of children with cleft lip-and palate-related conditions, we know each patient and family is unique. We’re here to answer your questions, discuss your child’s treatment options and create a plan that’s best for your baby.
With unmatched skills and expertise across Central Florida, our craniofacial specialists are backed by a network of more than 250 pediatric providers collaborating with your family to care for your child.
Our pediatric plastic surgeons are ready to help your child smile again. To get started, request an appointment and our Nurse Care Coordinator will contact you.
Dr. Raj Sawh-Martinez, Medical Director for Pediatric Plastic Surgery at AdventHealth for Children, discusses cleft lip and cleft palate conditions, how they differ from each other and the best treatment options to help babies thrive.
Understanding Cleft Lip
One of the most common craniofacial conditions, a cleft lip is the separation of the two sides of the upper lip area. It can occur when the tissue that makes up a baby’s lip does not completely join before birth, and as a result, there is as an opening or gap in the skin of the upper lip. Having your baby born with a cleft lip can be frightening to any parent. However, it is important to know that a cleft lip can be corrected. Surgery can help restore function and a more normal appearance, and most children go on to lead full, healthy lives after treatment.
The underlying cause of cleft lift is still widely unknown. It is important that you, as the parent, don’t feel like you are to blame for the anomaly. While it is suggested these conditions could be genetic, it is still very much a mystery. There is a greater chance of having a child with a cleft lip if a parent or sibling has one. Most children affected with cleft lips develop their facial difference without a known or direct link to exposures during or after pregnancy. A few exceptions that are associated with the development of cleft lip include:
Smoking while pregnant leads to a twofold increase in the risk of developing a cleft lip.
Taking Phenytoin (Dilantin) during pregnancy makes cleft lip 10 times more likely to occur.
Using alcohol, anti-seizure medicines or Vitamin A (retinoic acid) is linked with birth defects, including cleft lip.
Diagnosis is often discovered at birth but can also sometimes be detected by prenatal ultrasound. If a cleft lip has been discovered via an ultrasound during pregnancy, we understand you will want answers as soon as possible. Our specialized team is ready to provide you guidance and can even connect with you and your family prior to your child's birth to create a plan of care once your baby arrives.
If a cleft lip is discovered after birth, expertly trained craniofacial plastic surgeons should conduct a thorough diagnosis through a multidisciplinary team evaluation. Once a diagnosis is presented, we can guide you through the treatment process and what the best care plan would be for your child.
At AdventHealth for Children, cleft lip repair typically occurs between 3 and 6 months of age. Depending on the extent of the malformation and patient-specific considerations, repair may require pre-surgical orthodontic treatments like nasoalveolar molding or Latham appliance, as well as one or two plastic and reconstructive surgeries.
Nasoalveolar molding, or NAM, is a nonsurgical way to reshape the gums, lip and nostrils with a plastic plate before surgery. A Latham appliance is a device used to help decrease the width of the cleft prior to surgery.
If two surgeries are necessary, the first may occur around 2 to 2.5 months old, followed by a definitive cleft lip repair around 5 to 6 months of age.
Our dedicated Cleft and Craniofacial Nurse Care Coordinator will guide you through each step of your child’s treatment, including surgery, so you always feel supported.
Questions to Your Answers About Cleft Lip
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Will my child be able to eat properly?
Most babies with a cleft lip can learn to feed well with some assistance. Our team of nurses and infant feeding specialists can help you learn the proper techniques to feed your baby both before and after cleft lip repair.
How many surgeries will my child need?
The number of surgical procedures required to repair a cleft lip depends upon the type and severity of the deformity, with each child's case being unique. If multiple surgeries are needed, our team will provide assistance coordinating all the care and services so you can feel supported.
Will my insurance provider cover the cost of the surgery?
Your insurance provider will likely cover many of the costs of cleft lip surgery. There are also special agencies that provide assistance for this specific condition. If you are uninsured, under-insured or out of network, we can help you navigate this process so that your baby can still receive care from our team.
If you are an international patient or have international insurance, we provide guidance for that process as well.
If you need more information about covering the costs of your child’s procedure, our Cleft and Craniofacial Nurse Care Coordinator can provide assistance and help you navigate the care you need for your child and their treatment.
Will my child have trouble learning to talk?
Babies born with only a cleft lip (without a cleft palate) are not typically at increased risk for speech problems compared to other children without a cleft.
Your Child's Cleft Lip and Palate Care Team
We believe in providing whole-person care to achieve the best outcomes. As a result, your child will be cared for by a multidisciplinary team of expert providers who have the highest level of certification and training in their respective fields. This team may include any of the following providers depending on your child's unique care needs.
Audiologists
Anesthesiologists
Complex care pediatricians
Dentists
Ear, nose and throat (ENT) physicians
Genetic specialists
Nurse care coordinator
Oral surgeons
Orthodontists
Plastic and reconstructive surgeons
Physician assistants
Registered dieticians
Speech, language and feeding therapists
Social workers
Understanding Cleft Palate
A cleft palate involves a separation or opening in the roof of a baby’s mouth that can occur early in a pregnancy. One of the most common birth defects, it happens when the baby’s developing facial tissues don’t fully join together. While a diagnosis of cleft palate can feel scary and overwhelming, it is a treatable condition. Surgery to repair the cleft can improve both function and appearance, allowing most children to lead normal lives.
A cleft palate is a facial and oral malformation that happens very early in pregnancy while your baby is still developing. Although the exact underlying causes are still widely unknown, approximately 20-50% of babies born with cleft palates may have a syndromic association. There are hundreds of named syndromes that may be associated with cleft palate.
Most of the time, a cleft palate is diagnosed after a baby is born. However, there may be times that a cleft palate can be seen on a prenatal ultrasound while the mother is still pregnant. In these cases, you can prepare with the knowledge of future treatments for your baby once they are born and even meet with our Cleft and Craniofacial team for a consultation so that you can feel confident and ready when the time for cleft palate care arrives.
At AdventHealth for Children, cleft lip repair typically occurs between 3 and 6 months of age. Depending on the extent of the malformation and patient-specific considerations, repair may require pre-surgical orthodontic treatments like nasoalveolar molding or Latham appliance, as well as one or two plastic and reconstructive surgeries.
Nasoalveolar molding, or NAM, is a nonsurgical way to reshape the gums, lip and nostrils with a plastic plate before surgery. A Latham appliance is a device used to help decrease the width of the cleft prior to surgery.
If two surgeries are necessary, the first may occur around 2 to 2.5 months old, followed by a definitive cleft lip repair around 5 to 6 months of age.
Our dedicated Cleft and Craniofacial Nurse Care Coordinator will guide you through each step of your child’s treatment, including surgery, so you always feel supported.
Answers to Your Questions About Cleft Palate
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Will my child be able to eat properly after cleft palate surgery?
Eventually, your child will be able to eat normally. Before and immediately following cleft palate surgery, your child may need help. But with the assistance and guidance of your pediatrician, nurses and specialists, this can be overcome.
Does cleft palate impact my child's teeth?
The growth of your child’s teeth won’t be affected by their palate. However, it is sometimes recommended that a child with a cleft palate receive a bone graft along their gum line to help support the growth of their permanent teeth. Our team of specialists will help you make informed decisions about this possibility.
How many cleft palate repair surgeries will my child need?
The number of surgical procedures required to repair a cleft palate depends upon the type and severity of the deformity. Our care team will be with you through the entire process and help guide your child through care depending on their unique case and treatment options.
Will my insurance cover the cost of cleft palate surgery?
It is very likely that your insurance provider will cover many of the costs of cleft palate surgery. There are also special agencies that help with this specific condition. We’ll be glad to help you navigate your specific situation.
If you need more information about covering the costs of your child’s procedures, our Cleft and Craniofacial Nurse Care Coordinator can provide assistance.
Why Choose Us
At AdventHealth for Children, our team of plastic and reconstructive surgeons care for your child’s and family’s body, mind and spirit with comprehensive, compassionate care.
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Henry
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Dr. Sawh Martinez and his team truly are amazing and I would recommend them to anyone who asks. The team took such great care of our son and results are immaculate. Most people have no idea he was born with a cleft lip. - Mom, Arielle
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Henry
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Sean
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He smiles now and is happy with himself! I couldn’t have asked for a better cleft team!! My husband and I are so grateful for his knowledge and caring about Sean! – Mom
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Sean
Extraordinary Outcomes for Our Extraordinary Patients
We know that having your child go through surgery is the last thing a parent wants. But our incredible team of surgeons and specialists provides expert care so your child can have the most amazing outcomes after their surgery. In many cases, children have minimal to no scarring, and all that can be seen is their beautiful expressions.
Our team is here to help heal your child’s body, mind and spirit. We’ll work with specialists across medical fields to ensure your little one gets the care, attention and therapy they deserve to live well, be happy and thrive.
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