Treatment of Cleft, Lip & Palate

Cleft Support Solutions

Dr. Malhotra has a keen interest in treating patients with Cleft Lip and Palate. Clefts are the most common facial deformity and impact individuals not only physically but also emotionally. Patients require specialized care to help them eat, speak, and look better, improving their overall quality of life. A cleft is a congenital condition where tissues such as skin, muscle, or bone fail to fuse properly during development.

Cleft lip and palate can lead to dental, cosmetic, speech, hearing, and facial growth issues, often affecting social confidence. Globally, about one in every 750 babies is born with a cleft, making timely and expert care essential.

Treatment of Clefts

Despite the disfigurements & functional inefficiencies caused by clefts it is heartening to note that clefts are a repairable birth defect. The goals of treatment for the child with a cleft lip/palate are:

• Repair the birth defect (lip, palate, nose)

• Achieve normal speech, and hearing

• Achieve functional dental occlusion and good dental health

• Minimize costs of treatment

• Facilitate ethically sound, family-centered, culturally sensitive care.

Since cleft defects are associated with multiple problems involving various tissues, organs and functions, treatment is best carried out by a team of specialists. The Cleft Palate Team consists of a Paediatrician, Operating Surgeon, Orthodontist, Speech therapist, E.N.T. specialist, General dentist & a Psychologist.

Cleft Treatment Timeline

It is also important to remember that repairs of cleft lip and palate are done at the proper time as far as the child’s growth and development is concerned.

• Lip repair : 3 – 6 months

• Palate repair : 12 – 18 months

Both the hard and soft palates are repaired surgically. It is important to do palate repair before a child reaches the age of 18 months, because it is during this time that speech is developed. Without a proper palate the child may end up with defective speech.

• Speech Therapy : 12 months onwards

• Dental Treatment : 2 years onwards

• Orthodontic Treatment : 6 years onwards

• Nose Surgery : 18 yrs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cleft lip and palate?

A cleft lip is a birth defect where there is an opening in the upper lip. A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth. Cleft lip and palate can occur together or separately.

What causes cleft lip and palate?

The exact cause is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some cases may be linked to exposure to certain drugs, alcohol, or infections during pregnancy.

How is cleft lip and palate treated?

Surgery is the main treatment for cleft lip and palate. The goal of treatment is to close the openings and improve function and appearance. Other treatments may include speech therapy, orthodontic treatment, and counseling.

When is surgery performed for cleft lip and palate?

Surgery is typically performed when the child is between 3 and 6 months old for cleft lip and between 9 and 18 months old for cleft palate. Additional surgeries may be needed as the child grows.

Can cleft lip and palate be prevented?

There is no known way to prevent cleft lip and palate, but there are steps that women can take to reduce their risk, such as not smoking or drinking alcohol during pregnancy and getting proper nutrition.

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