Cleft Lip and Palate

During early pregnancy, separate areas of the face develop individually and then join together, including the left and right sides of the roof of the mouth and lips. However, if some parts do not join properly, such as the palate (roof of your mouth) or upper lip, the result is a cleft. If the separation occurs in the upper lip, the child is said to have a cleft lip and if it is in the palate, it is called cleft palate.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are involved in treating these patients with a group of other health professional experts to provide the best treatment for this condition.