A cleft lip is a separation in the upper lip, while a cleft palate is a separation in the roof of the mouth. A child with a cleft lip or palate is born with the condition, but in many cases the exact cause isn't known.
A cleft lip or palate can be corrected with surgery. This surgery will improve your child's ability to eat, speak, and breathe, as well as provide a more normal appearance. The surgery also ensures that your child can continue to grow and develop normally.
In most cases, cleft lip surgery takes place when a child is between two and six months old. Cleft palate surgery usually takes place when a child is between nine and 18 months old. Many patients will also need further surgery as their adult teeth come in and their face shape changes with age.