Cleft Lip & Palate Repair
Safe Restoration for Your Child
Cleft Lip & Palate Repair
Safe Restoration for Your Child
When the two sides of the face do not join together properly in utero, a split in the lip and/or roof of the mouth can occur. This split is known as a cleft lip or cleft palate, and it is one of the most common birth defects. A team of specialists is usually involved in a cleft lip or palate repair, including an oral surgeon, dentist, a pediatrician. Depending on the child’s age, a speech pathologist may also be involved to help them establish proper articulation.
Oral surgeons have received years of training beyond dental school to gain the surgical knowledge necessary to perform the full scope of oral procedures. As an important member of your child’s treatment team, our oral surgeons are qualified to perform facial surgeries to restore the function and appearance of the mouth and face, including cleft lip and palate repair. Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery provides several options for anesthesia, and all of our offices are equipped with the latest 3D scanning technology.
Meet Our Specialist
Dr. Rick Kapitan is the head of our Cleft Lip & Palate Surgery division. As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and cleft and craniofacial surgery specialist, Dr. Kapitan provides care that is compassionate, comprehensive, and personable.
Surgical Treatment
Newborns and infants with a cleft lip or palate often have feeding difficulties as a result of their cleft. Special bottles and other tools can help, but surgical repair is necessary to correct the cleft once the child is old enough to undergo the procedure. Every cleft is different: a child may only have a cleft lip, or only a cleft palate, or both. The severity of the cleft varies too. The number of surgical procedures necessary to repair the cleft will depend on the extent of the child’s condition.
In general, a cleft lip is a simpler surgical procedure than a cleft palate, although both conditions can be corrected successfully. A child with a cleft lip will undergo one or two surgeries, with the first surgery around 3–6 months of age. The goal of a cleft lip repair is to correct the split in the lip to enhance function and facial esthetics.
Repairing a cleft palate is a more involved procedure, with the first surgery taking place between the ages of 6–12 months. Once the facial structures have developed more, around age 8, another surgery takes place to increase bone quantity in the upper jaw. More surgeries may be recommended as the child develops.
Types of Anesthesia
There are three main choices for anesthesia
Cleft Lip & Palate Repair In Charlotte, Gastonia, Matthews, Concord, Lake Norman, Rock Hill, Greenville, and Simpsonville
Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery provides first-class care to improve health and well-being while maximizing the patient experience. Every office is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and outfitted with state-of-the-art digital imaging technology and surgical equipment to enhance our scope of practice. The high level of care we provide ensures every patient feels confident in their treatment while they receive safe and predictable results.
We Are Here for You
Learn more about cleft lip and palate repair, schedule an appointment, and more. Contact Carolinas Centers for Oral, Facial, Cosmetic & Dental Implant Surgery today.