This is our area of expertise, and we take it seriously.
Cleft Lip and Palate
Clefts vary greatly in degrees of separation, from little more than a slight indentation of the lip to a complete division/separation of the lip, nasal base and hard/soft palate.
The condition's various levels are named according to the placement of the cleft:
Unilateral Cleft Lip/Palate – a cleft on one side
Bilateral Cleft Lip/Palate – a cleft on both sides
Cleft Palate Only – the cleft does not affect the lip or nasal base
At the International Craniofacial Institute (ICI), Cleft Lip & Palate Treatment Center, we do not see these variations in physical structure as abnormalities or deformities, but as differences. All babies are unique – sometimes a child's inherent differences are visible from the outside, sometimes they are not. A cleft lip/palate is simply one such visible difference – and it is repairable!
The oral-facial region is designed to carry out essential activities such as suckling, swallowing, breathing, sleeping and crying. As a child grows, speaking, dental development, chewing and maintaining balance also become important roles of this area of the body. All these tasks are interrelated, and thus directly or indirectly dependant upon proper functioning of the mouth, nose and/or ears.
A fully formed mouth and oral region allows breathing and eating to occur without confusing the two – an intact palate enables chewing without food going up the nose. Further, because the mouth is connected to the ear's balancing and draining mechanisms, an intact palate helps ensure the critical inner ear muscles are properly connected to the inner ear mechanics. These connections allow an ear's tiny Eustachian tube to sit at the proper angle, providing drainage and airflow. As the outlet for speech, the mouth and tongue rely on an intact palate to provide proper breath control and articulation required to create sounds. Incomplete closure of the lip, alveolus (dental ridge), and/or hard and soft palates (roof of the mouth) cause a baby with a cleft lip/palate condition to face challenges.
We treat and correct cleft lip/palate and all its variations. ICI performs more than 500 such procedures each year, including all levels of complexity. Our team represents a wealth of specialization in every area related to cleft conditions. We work with each other, as well as with our patients' loved ones, to ensure that children born with cleft lip/palate become healthy, functioning members of their families.
Our commitment is to provide the best possible physical repair and reconstruction. As a result, you can expect two critical outcomes – proper function and a beautifully restored appearance of all cleft-affected areas. Along the way, we'll arm you with knowledge and caretaking skills while connecting you with people and resources to help each step of the way.