What problems are associated with cleft deformities?

Cleft lip and cleft palate conditions create serious functional and aesthetic problems in the mouth, the nose, and the face. These problems can affect speech, feeding, and hearing.

At what age can cleft deformities be treated?

The age for correction depends on the severity of the cleft and type of cleft.

Correcting an alveolar cleft is usually performed between ages 6 to 9. If the surgery is conducted when the child is younger than this, the scar tissue that forms during healing will interfere with the normal development of the face.