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Cleft Lip & Palate

Correcting Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Issues

Cleft lip and cleft palate are oral and facial conditions that result when the two sides of the face do not meet properly during a baby’s development in utero. This causes a gap, called a cleft, in the roof of the mouth, the lip, or both. The opening can cause complications for a baby’s eating, speaking, and breathing. Additionally, children with cleft palate are at a higher risk for early dental problems, inner ear issues, and problems with digestion. Luckily, surgical intervention and other treatments throughout childhood can correct most cases of cleft lip and palate.

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is usually a crucial part of your child’s treatment team for cleft lip or palate. Dr. Robert Bryan and Dr. Jeremy Goodson in Oklahoma City, OK, are experts in facial reconstructive treatment and have extensive experience working with pediatric patients. Cleft lip and palate conditions usually require at least one surgery for treatment, and in some cases, multiple surgeries may be necessary at various life stages.

We use a highly advanced i-CAT 3D scanning system to provide highly detailed, accurate images.

Surgical Treatments for Cleft Lip and Palate

Typically, the first surgery to repair a cleft lip or palate occurs within the baby’s first 12 months of life. For a cleft lip, this surgery involves closing the gap between the lips to improve function for normal eating, speaking, and breathing. We will perform the procedure in a way that creates the most pleasing aesthetic results. Our office is equipped with highly advanced i-CAT 3D scanning technology to track the position of facial features throughout development.

A cleft palate requires more surgeries later in life to close entirely. The initial surgery involves forming a working palate to prevent fluid buildup in the ears and help the teeth and facial bones develop properly. A functional palate will also make eating much easier. Later in life, when the child is about 8 years old, they may need a bone graft to support their permanent teeth as they grow in.

In some cases, more surgeries may be necessary to improve the appearance of the lip and nose, adjust the alignment of the jaw, or close an opening between the mouth and the nose. Then, when the face is almost finished growing and changing, final repairs of scars or other cosmetic adjustments can be made.

Oral Surgery Care for Your Children in Oklahoma City, OK

At Oral Surgery Specialists of Oklahoma, we understand that parents want the best for their children. Our oral surgeons are experts at restoring the balance between the facial structures. Dr. Bryan and Dr. Goodson understand how to care for children whose faces are constantly growing and changing, and they maintain the highest licensure available to dental professionals to administer anesthesia and sedation, as well as monitor their patients during surgery. To learn more about cleft lip and palate treatment, contact our office in Oklahoma City, OK, for more information.

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Questions? We Are Here to Help

Our staff is here to answer your questions and guide you throughout your journey with our practice. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your treatment.