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In this Article

• What is a cleft palate and cleft lip?
• Who gets cleft lip and cleft palate?
• What causes a cleft lip and cleft palate?
• How are cleft lip and cleft palate diagnosed?
• What problems are associated with cleft lip and/or cleft palate?
• Who treats children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate?
• What's the treatment for cleft lip and cleft palate?
• What is the prognosis for children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate?
• Do children with cleft lips or cleft palates have special dental needs?
• Find a local Plastic Surgeon in your town
• Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip Index

Due to the number of oral health and medical problems associated with a cleft lip or cleft palate, a team of doctors and other specialists is usually involved in the care of these children. Members of a cleft lip and palate team typically include:

• Plastic surgeon to evaluate and perform necessary surgeries on the lip and/or palate



• An otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat doctor) to evaluate hearing problems and consider treatment options for hearing problems



• An oral surgeon to reposition segments of the upper jaw when needed, to improve function and appearance and to repair the cleft of the gum



• An orthodontist to straighten and reposition teeth



• A dentist to perform routine dental care



• A prosthodontist to make artificial teeth and dental appliances to improve the appearance and to meet functional requirements for eating and speaking



• A speech pathologist to assess speech and feeding problems



• A speech therapist to work with the child to improve speech



• An audiologist (a specialist in communication disorders stemming from a hearing impairment); to assess and monitor hearing



• A nurse coordinator to provide ongoing supervision of the child's health



• A social worker/psychologist to support the family and assess any adjustment problems



• A geneticist to help parents and adult patients understand the chances of having more children with these conditions

The health care team works together to develop a plan of care to meet the individual needs of each patient. Treatment usually begins in infancy and often continues through early adulthood.

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