Cleft Lip And Palate Surgery
Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery: Expert Care at Braces and Faces Dental Clinic
A cleft lip or cleft palate is a congenital condition that affects both appearance and function, making it difficult for a child to eat, speak, and breathe properly. At Braces and Faces Dental Clinic, our expert maxillofacial and plastic surgeons specialize in cleft lip and palate surgery, providing comprehensive treatment to restore function, enhance facial aesthetics, and improve overall quality of life.
What is Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate?
- Cleft Lip – A split or opening in the upper lip, which may extend to the nose.
- Cleft Palate – An opening in the roof of the mouth, affecting speech and feeding.
- These conditions occur when facial structures fail to develop properly during pregnancy and can vary in severity.
Why is Cleft Surgery Necessary?
Cleft lip and palate surgery is essential to:
✔️ Improve feeding ability in infants.
✔️ Enhance speech development by correcting airflow and articulation.
✔️ Prevent ear infections and hearing loss caused by improper function of the palate.
✔️ Support proper dental and facial growth.
✔️ Boost confidence and social interaction by improving appearance.
Types of Cleft Lip and Palate Surgeries at Braces and Faces Dental Clinic
🔹 Cleft Lip Repair (Cheiloplasty) – Usually performed at 3 to 6 months of age, this procedure closes the lip gap, restores normal function, and improves facial symmetry.
🔹 Cleft Palate Repair (Palatoplasty) – Performed at 9 to 18 months, this surgery closes the gap in the palate and realigns muscles to enable normal speech and feeding.
🔹 Alveolar Bone Grafting – Around 8 to 12 years old, this procedure adds bone to the upper jaw, supporting the growth of permanent teeth.
🔹 Speech Surgery – In some cases, additional procedures help improve speech clarity and function.
🔹 Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery – For older patients with jaw misalignment, corrective jaw surgery helps restore balance and bite function.
Why Choose Braces and Faces Dental Clinic?
✅ Expert Surgical Team – Our maxillofacial and plastic surgeons specialize in cleft repair and facial reconstruction.
✅ Comprehensive Care – We collaborate with speech therapists, orthodontists, and pediatric specialists for holistic treatment.
✅ Advanced Techniques – We use modern, minimally invasive surgical methods to ensure optimal outcomes and faster recovery.
Recovery & Post-Surgical Care
- Follow a liquid or soft diet during healing.
- Keep the surgical area clean to prevent infection.
- Attend regular follow-ups to monitor speech and dental development.
- Speech therapy may be needed for improved pronunciation and communication skills.
