Oral and facial clefts are among the most common and heartbreaking of birth defects. Clefts make feeding or even breathing difficult and can affect speech development.
But there's one other profound effect: an “abnormal” face caused by a cleft can have devastating consequences for a person's self-image and social relationships.
About 1 in 700 U.S. babies are born with some type of visible gap or “cleft.” It can occur in their upper lip, soft and hard palate, nose or occasionally extending to the cheek or eye region. We typically classify clefts as “unilateral” (affecting only one side of the face) or “bilateral” (affecting both sides). We're not completely sure on the root causes, but research so far has uncovered links with the mother's possible exposure to toxic substances, nutrient or vitamin deficiencies, or infections during fetal development.
Taking steps during pregnancy to minimize these exposures is certainly helpful. But what can be done for children born with a cleft?
A great deal, thanks to the development of surgical repair techniques over the last century. The surgical approach relies on the fact that the tissues required to repair the cleft already exist. They're simply distorted by the cleft break.
Even so, the road to restoration is a long and arduous one. Lip repairs usually take place at 3-6 months of age; palate (roof of the mouth) clefts are undertaken at 6-12 months. As the child's jaw and mouth structure develops, further surgeries may be needed to match earlier repairs with development.
Cleft repairs also require a team of specialists including a maxillofacial (oral) surgeon, orthodontist and general dentist. The latter plays an important role during the process, ensuring the child maintains good dental health through prevention and treatment of disease and dental work for at risk teeth.
The road to a normal life is difficult — but well worth it. A repaired cleft vastly improves a child's health and well-being. Moreover, it restores to them something the rest of us might take for granted — a normal face and smile.
If you would like more information on cleft defects and how to treat them, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.
Comments:
Blog Content
Archive:
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
Tags
- celebrity smiles (49)
- orthodontic treatment (8)
- teething (2)
- pediatric dentistry (12)
- braces (5)
- dental implants (11)
- dental anxiety (1)
- TADs (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (6)
- pregnancy (2)
- oral hygiene (15)
- gum disease (9)
- orthodontics (3)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- toothpaste (1)
- fluoride (2)
- tooth grinding (1)
- diabetes (1)
- athletic mouthguards (2)
- tooth decay (5)
- saliva (1)
- oral health (11)
- teeth wear (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- porcelain veneers (1)
- chewing tobacco (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- dental emergency (1)
- dental injury (4)
- dentures (2)
- mouthguards (2)
- gum recession (2)
- crowns (2)
- sugar (1)
- nutrition (2)
- teeth grinding (1)
- cleft lip (2)
- mouthguard (1)
- sealants (1)
- root resorption (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- veneers (1)
- bad breath (1)
- oral appliance (1)
- bonding (1)
- x-rays (2)
- teeth whitening (1)
- sedation dentistry (1)
- dental visit (1)
- blood pressure (1)
- retainer (4)
- bone grafting (1)
- tooth pain (3)
- topical fluoride (1)
- toothache (2)
- jaw pain (1)
- chipped tooth (3)
- dental care (1)
- periodontal disease (1)
- missing tooth (1)
- retainers (1)
- cleft palate (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- palatal expander (1)
- smoking (2)
- dental records (1)
- bonded retainer (1)
- dry mouth (1)
- root canal treatment (2)
- tmj disorders (2)
- dental implant (1)
Categories:
