Table of Contents
Cleft Lip & Palate Clinic
Introduction
Welcome to Dental Works Inc, your premier destination for advanced dental care in the heart of Evershine Nagar, Mumbai. At Dental Works Inc, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional dental services, and today, we’re excited to shed light on a specialized aspect of oral and facial health: cleft plastic surgery.
What is Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate?
A cleft lip or cleft palate is a birth defect. A cleft lip can be a small indentation in the lip or a complete break in the lip on one or both sides. The defect can extend through the roof of the mouth, forming a one-sided or both-sided cleft palate. The cleft in the palate stretches to the entire length of the palate.
The cleft lip repair surgical procedure, typically done when the child is 3 to 4 months old, prevents the development of future problems such as speech impediments. The cleft palate is repaired when the child is 10 to 12 months old, with the best outcomes achieved if done before 18 months.
When Should One Undergo Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate?
The timing of cleft repairs depends on individual circumstances. Cleft lip surgeries are typically performed between 2 and 6 months of age, depending on the child’s health status and local cleft team protocols. Cleft palate repairs are generally performed after cleft lip repair, in a separate surgery, when the child is between 9 to 18 months of age, depending on health status.
Your child will also need to attend regular appointments at our center so that the condition can be closely monitored and any problems can be addressed. These appointments are usually recommended until they are around 21 years of age.
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Results
Cleft lip and palate repairs are transformative, both functionally and aesthetically. Early intervention and regular follow-up care are crucial for optimal outcomes.
Questions to Ask Your Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Surgeon
- Is my child a good candidate for the cleft lip and cleft palate procedure?
- What will be expected to achieve the best results?
- Where and how will you perform my child’s procedure?
- How long of a recovery period can we expect?
- What kind of help will my child need during the recovery?
- What are the risks and complications associated with this surgery?
- How will the complications be handled?
- Do you have before-and-after photos of other patients?
Your Child's Care Plan
At Dental Works Inc, we have extensive expertise in handling all issues related to cleft care from day 1 to 25 years of age.
- Birth to 6 weeks: Feeding assistance, support for parents, hearing tests, and pediatric assessment.
- 2 to 6 months: Surgery to repair a cleft lip.
- 9 to 18 months: Surgery to repair a cleft palate.
- 18 months: Speech assessment.
- 3 years: Speech assessment.
- 5 years: Speech assessment.
- 8 to 12 years: Bone graft to repair a cleft in the gum area.
- 12 to 15 years: Orthodontic treatment and monitoring jaw growth.