Cleft Lip/Palate
Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip Surgery in Metro Atlanta
Discovering your child has a cleft lip or cleft palate can raise many questions, including what it means for your baby’s health and how doctors can fix it. As a parent, you want to ensure your child is happy and healthy. Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery can help make that a reality. We have years of experience performing cleft lip and cleft palate surgery for patients throughout Metro Atlanta and the surrounding areas. People born with these conditions can grow up to live normal, healthy lives. Rely on us to create a care plan that fits your child’s needs.
What Are Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate?
A cleft lip is an opening or split in the upper lip. This happens when a baby’s facial structures don’t close completely while growing in the womb. The split can be a small slit or go all the way up to the nose. Furthermore, it can happen on one or both sides of the lip.
A cleft palate is a split or opening in the roof of the mouth. The roof of your mouth has two parts: the hard palate at the front and the soft palate at the back. A cleft can affect one or both of these parts. Sometimes, a baby is born with both a cleft lip and a cleft palate. These openings can make it challenging for a baby to eat, speak, and hear properly.
What Causes These Conditions?
Many parents wonder what causes a cleft lip or what causes a cleft palate. In most cases, the exact cause is unknown. Doctors believe it happens because of a mix of genetics and elements in the mother’s environment during pregnancy. However, it’s important to know that most of the time, parents did nothing to cause this condition. It’s simply something that happens as a baby develops.
How Common Is Cleft Palate and Lip?
Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth defects in the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in just over 1,030 babies is born with a cleft lip, and one in roughly 1,560 is born with a cleft palate. Because these conditions are so common, doctors have developed very successful ways to treat them.
Ways to Address Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Parents often ask, “How do they fix a cleft lip and palate?” The answer is usually surgery. Doctors use specific procedures to close the openings and help the child eat, breathe, and speak normally. Here are the primary ways our doctors address these conditions:
- Cleft Lip Surgery – Also known as cheiloplasty for cleft lip, this surgery closes the lip separation. Doctors usually perform this when the baby is between three and six months old. The surgeon brings the lip tissues together and stitches them to restore a normal lip shape.
- Cleft Palate Surgery – This surgery closes the hole in the roof of the mouth. Doctors usually do this when the baby is between nine and 18 months old. This timing helps protect the baby’s speech development. The surgeon moves the tissues from the sides of the mouth to the center to close the gap.
- Bone Grafts – Sometimes, a child needs a bone graft when they’re between eight and 12 years old. This procedure fills in the gumline so that adult teeth can emerge properly.
- Ear Tubes – Children with cleft palates often get fluid in their ears. Doctors might place tiny tubes in the eardrums to prevent ear infections and protect the child’s hearing.
What to Expect After Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Surgery
After surgery, your child will need some time to heal. It’s normal for the mouth and lip to be sore and swollen for a few days. Our medical team will give you medicine to help keep your baby comfortable. Here’s what you can expect during the recovery process:
- Feeding Changes – Your baby might need to use a special bottle for a little while to protect the stitches.
- Arm Restraints – We might place soft armbands on your baby’s arms. They’ll stop your child from touching their mouth and pulling on the stitches.
- Diet – Older children might need to eat soft foods for a few weeks while the mouth heals.
- Follow-Up Visits – You’ll need to bring your child back to our doctors to check on their healing. We’ll make sure everything looks good and remove any stitches if needed.
Over time, the surgical scars will fade. With the help of speech therapists and dentists, your child will learn to talk clearly and have a healthy smile.
Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation in Metro Atlanta Today
The Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery team can help your child thrive despite being born with a cleft lip or cleft palate. At our clinics throughout Metro Atlanta, we’ll answer your questions and explain treatment options in more depth. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.