HomeCleft Lip/ Palate Cleft Palate in Allen, TX

Cleft Palate in Allen, TX

Each year, one baby out of 700 is born with a cleft lip/palate. If you’re a parent in Allen, TX with a child in need of safe and gentle relief, the International Craniofacial Institute welcomes you with open arms.

Understanding Cleft and Cleft Palate

A cleft lip/palate can vary from child to child. In some children, it can manifest as a minor indentation in the lip. In others, it is evidenced by a total separation of the upper lip, palate, and base of the nose.

Medically, the condition can occur in one of three forms. They are as follows:

  • Cleft palate (only) -Only the palate is affected by the cleft. The lip and base of the nose are not affected.
  • Cleft lip/palate (unilateral) – The cleft appears on a single side.
  • Cleft lip/palate (bilateral)- The cleft appears on both sides.

Our team at the ICI (International Craniofacial Institute) Cleft Lip & Palate Treatment Center does not identify these conditions as deformities. Instead, they are seen merely as differences. No matter the classification, the International Craniofacial Institute has the experience and training necessary to treat the condition.

The oral region in the face during infancy is used primarily for breathing, swallowing, sucking, crying and sleeping. With development, this region will eventually be used for speaking, chewing, development of teeth and balance control. These tasks are critical to a child’s health and growth, and they depend highly on the correct development of the oral region of the face.

Challenges for Children with Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate

When the mouth and internal structures are developed correctly, eating and breathing can occur simultaneously without disruption of one another. However, in the case of a cleft lip, food can easily enter the nose. Likewise, a cleft lip/palate can affect mechanics and inner muscles of the ear. As a child ages, speech can also be affected by a cleft lip/palate. If not treated, a baby will face years of challenges entering into adolescence, teen years and adulthood.

Treatment at International Craniofacial Institute

At the International Craniofacial Institute, we take pride in treating various forms of cleft lips/palates. We perform over 500 treatments per year for our patients that range widely in type and complexity. Each team member is an experienced specialist in treating various aspects of cleft conditions. Our goal is to work hand-in-hand with the patient to ensure that each cleft lip/palate is treated promptly and quickly.

If your child or another loved one is suffering from a genetic disorder, craniofacial condition, or cleft lip/palate, we have the tools and resources to help. At the International Craniofacial Institute, we can help you understand your options for creating a brighter future for your child. Contact us today to begin speaking with our specialists and staff about a treatment plan personalized just for your child.