Cleft Lip and Palate

Replacing Cleft Lips and Palates with Smiles

Cleft lip and cleft palate are the most common birth defects of the face, involving a split in the upper lip and/or a gap in the roof of the mouth. This condition is not just disturbing because of its appearance, it also causes several problems for the child, including speech, dental, ear, and feeding problems. Over 6,000 infants are born in the US each year with this condition. The facial plastic surgeons of The Peer Group, serving communities throughout northern New Jersey, use the finest repair and reconstruction techniques to eliminate the problem and give the affected child a beautiful smile.

A cleft can appear in the lip or palate alone, or in both areas, as well as on one or both sides of the mouth. Reconstructive facial plastic surgery is the recommended treatment for clefts, and is usually performed when the child is 3 to 6 months old for a cleft lip and 9 to 14 months old for a cleft palate. When a cleft lip or cleft palate condition exists, it is recommended to meet with medical specialists to assess the child’s unique condition and the areas that may be affected by the clefts. Although this condition requires significant medical care, it can be overcome with the help of a trusted team of child health specialists.