Cleft means 'split' or 'separation'. During early pregnancy separate areas of the face develop individually and then join together. The lip usually closes by 5 to 6 weeks after conception, and the palate by 10 weeks. If some parts do not join properly, the result is a cleft. The cleft will vary in both type and severity.
What is a Cleft Lip?
A cleft lip is an opening in the upper lip between the mouth and nose, which occurs when proper fusion does not take place. It can range from a slight notch in the colored portion of the lip to complete separation in one or both sides of the lip extending up and into the nose. A cleft on one side is called a unilateral cleft. If a cleft occurs on both sides it is called a bilateral cleft.
A cleft lip separation may include a separation of the bones of the upper jaw and/or upper gum. This may range from a small notch in the gum to a complete division of the gum into separate parts.
What is a Cleft Palate?
A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth in which the two sides of the palate did not fuse, or join together by the 10th week of development. The back of the palate (towards the throat) is called the soft palate and the front (towards the mouth) is known as the hard palate. If you feel the inside of your mouth with your tongue, you will be able to notice the difference between the soft and the hard palate.
A cleft palate can range from just an opening at the back of the soft palate to a nearly complete separation of the roof of the mouth (soft and hard palate).
What causes a Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate?
Although a complete understanding of why cleft lips or cleft palates occur is not known, there appears to be an association with a combination of genetic and environment factors.
Genetic risk factors depend on the number of affected people in a family, the closeness of affected relatives, and the severity of the clefts. Keep in mind that sometimes clefts run in families, and sometimes a baby will be born with a cleft without anyone else in the family having one.
Are there any treatments for Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate?
Cleft lips and cleft palates are usually treated through a combination of surgery, dental, and orthodontic care. This continuum of care provided by interdisciplinary cleft palate and craniofacial healthcare providers is usually provided over a number of years focusing on complete rehabilitation. Speech therapy is often a complementary part of this continuum of care.
