Cleft lip and Palate Treatment
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Speciality Treatments
Cleft lip and Palate Treatment
Cleft lip and cleft palate are one of the most commonly seen facial deformities in children after birth. These facial deformities can be diagnosed in the children as soon as they are born. Therefore, it is easier to get these facial deformities and get the child in the normal looks state within an estimate period of time. Nowadays, there are many advances which ensure that the doctors can detect the deformities in the utero itself thus leading to proper management and treatment of these children after birth.
There are many factors which are taken into consideration during the treatment of these
facial deformities. The dentists and oral surgeons have cleft palate specialist teams who
treat the children and ensure successful accomplishment of the treatment after a certain
period of time. Cleft lip is treated with the help of the surgeries preferably at the age of
10 weeks. Single cleft lip cases are treated with single surgical procedures. If the case is
extensive and bilateral then the patients are treated first on one side by closing the cleft
and then the second one after few weeks. In this way, even the complicated cases can be
handled with ease and can be corrected accordingly by the team of surgeons and dentists. The
treatment of the patients is done in a systematic manner which varies and progresses with
the age of the patients. Palatal obturator is the initial procedure which is done till the
child is of 1 year. In this period the cleft lip, soft palate as well as hard palate can be
repaired in the patients. Speech therapy is also an essential part of the treatment
curriculum for most of the patients affected by the cleft lip and cleft palate. Speech
therapy sessions are held between the age of three to six years of age. If there is any
hearing loss, then it can be treated properly in this treatment schedule. Bone grafting
procedures are done in between the age of nine to twelve years. Finally, the orthodontic
procedures are done once the child turns around seven years. The orthodontic procedures
continue till the age of 18 years depending on the severity of the case. Several cosmetic
procedures are also done in the patients after the age of 15 years that along with the
functioning of the lips and palate the appearance of the face is also improved thus making
the patients appreciate of their valuable new looks. Orthodontic treatments ensure thatthe
jaws andthe teeth are inthe right position and do not cause any type of difficulty forthe
patients undergoingthe procedures. Also,the bony structures can be restored properly without
interfering in their regular functioning.
It is important for the patients and their family members to keep realistic expectations
from the procedures so that they can appreciate the work of the dentists and surgeons and
the ultimate achievement of the procedures. Regular follow ups ensure that the patients can
know their progress and keep a watch on their improvements under the guidance of the
experts.
The need for surgery generally falls into two categories:
a. Function Related
- Feeding difficulties: Issues with sucking, swallowing, or nutrition
- Hearing problems: Increased risk of ear infections
- Speech issues: Articulation, resonance, or voice problems
- Dental problems: Misaligned teeth, missing teeth, or malocclusion
b. Cosmetic Concerns
- Facial asymmetry: Unbalanced facial features
- Nasal deformity: Affected nose shape or size
- Lip irregularities: Scar tissue or uneven lip shape
- Scarring: Visible scars from surgeries
Pre-Surgical Preparation
The notes outline several steps required before undergoing these surgeries:
- Pre-surgical Orthodontics: Often needed before the actual surgery takes place. Imaging: X-rays and CT scans are required.
- Planning: Virtual surgical planning is performed on a computer, along with model surgery.
- Psychological Evaluation: Conducted to ensure a successful outcome for the patient.
Post-Surgical Recovery
- Hospital Stay: Typically lasts approximately 1 week.
- Discharge Criteria: Patients can be discharged once they can start taking soft food orally and can perform day-to-day activities by themselves.
