SMILES - Overview of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Management

About SMILES Craniofacial Support Group

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Overview of cleft lip and palate management

Otolaryngologist's advice on craniofacial related issues

The effects on speech and language development

Breastfeeding a Cleft Lip-Palate Baby

Selection of the craniofacial team brochure

Care for your child after cleft palate repair

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Newborn to 12 months / Age 1-5 years / Age 5-13 years / Age 13-18 years

Age 5-13 years

Children with cleft palate can have problems with their teeth due to a gap in the gum. The teeth may be crooked or out of alignment. The orthodontist can help straighten the teeth using appliances. This may be done after the age of 5-6 depending upon when certain teeth erupt. Once teeth are in alignment, the best way to hold them is to fill the gap in the gum with bone grafting.

Speech may also be problematic in spite of best efforts by the child and the speech pathologist. This may be corrected using an operation called Pharyngoplasty. This surger helps narrow the back of the throat to help a child make sounds correctly.


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