Treatment and Follow-Up with a Holistic Approach
Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are congenital conditions that occur when the structures in a baby’s facial region fail to fuse properly during pregnancy.
Commonly known as “harelip”, this condition affects approximately 1 in every 1,000 births in Türkiye.
A baby may be born with a cleft affecting only the lip, only the palate, or both.
Causes of Cleft Lip and Palate
The condition can result from a combination of genetic factors, environmental influences, or maternal exposure to certain medications, infections, or nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy.
Cleft lip and palate can be successfully treated from birth through a multidisciplinary team approach, involving several medical and dental specialists working together.
How Does the Treatment Process Progress?
The orthodontist plays an active role from the newborn stage in the treatment of individuals with cleft lip and palate.
Treatment is long-term and is planned in accordance with the child’s growth and development.
1. Newborn Stage (From the First Days of Life)
The baby’s first and most vital need is proper feeding.
Due to the cleft palate, the baby may have difficulty sucking effectively.
In such cases, the orthodontist prepares special feeding plates to help the baby swallow comfortably and maintain healthy development.
In some instances, pre-surgical molding devices (such as NAM—Nasoalveolar Molding) are used to shape the oral and nasal tissues before surgery, improving surgical success.
2. Infancy (4–18 Months)
Ortalama 4–6 aylıkken dudak, 1–1,5 yaş civarında ise damak cerrahi olarak kapatılır.
Bu operasyonlar sonrasında üst çenenin gelişiminde bazı kısıtlılıklar oluşabilir. Ortodontistler, büyüme sürecinde bu dengesizlikleri dengelemek için düzenli takip ve tedavi planı uygularlar.
3. Childhood (7–8 Years)
At this stage, the child undergoes another orthodontic evaluation.
If there is upper jaw constriction or problems with tooth eruption, expansion and alignment treatments are applied.
Since canine teeth usually erupt near the cleft line, a bone graft (bone augmentation) may be performed in that area to provide sufficient bone support.
4. Adolescence and Adulthood
In some individuals, the upper jaw may appear retruded due to surgical scar tissue.
In such cases, orthognathic surgery (jaw advancement) may be performed in cooperation between orthodontists and surgeons.
After treatment completion, prosthetic restorations (such as bridges or implants) are applied in areas with missing teeth to achieve both aesthetic and functional harmony.
Why Is the Role of the Orthodontist So Important?
The orthodontist:
- Regulates the baby’s feeding process from birth
- Shapes the pre-surgical period to optimize surgical outcomes
- Guides dental and jaw development throughout growth
- Restores aesthetic and functional integrity in adulthood
This process represents not just dental correction, but a journey of holistic recovery — one that transforms the child’s overall quality of life.
Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment at Allianoi
At Allianoi Oral and Dental Health Clinic, treatment for individuals with cleft lip and palate is planned through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach.
Orthodontic, surgical, and prosthetic treatments are carried out in close collaboration.
Our goal is to ensure that our patients achieve not only an aesthetic smile, but also a healthy, functional, and confident one.
