A cleft lip and palate treatment
Cleft lip and cleft palate are craniofacial abnormalities that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. Clefts, especially cleft lip with or without cleft palate, are diagnosed during the 16th week of pregnancy by a routine ultrasound. In the United States approximately one in every 700 babies will be born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Several factors contribute to the possibility of being born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Genetics and environmental factors as well drug use, vitamin deficiencies and smoking during pregnancy also contribute.
Infants born with cleft lip and palate face multiple, life-long health problems that need specialized care and will be referred to a craniofacial team that consists of the following providers:
- pediatrician
- plastic surgeon
- feeding consultant
- speech pathologist
- ear, nose and throat specialist
- pediatric dentist
- orthodontist
- oral surgeon
- prosthodontist
- social worker
Dentists play an important role in the treatment, providing pre-surgical soft/hard tissue molding, regular dental checkups due to high cavities risk, orthodontic treatment, jaw surgery, and prosthetic speech appliances.
PNAM treatment provided by Loma Linda University School of Dentistry is a Denti-Cal covered benefit for qualified patients.
For additional information read our articles and FAQs or contact the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic at 909-558-4689.
Loma Linda University School of Dentistry
Pediatric Dental Clinic
11092 Anderson Street
Loma Linda, CA 92350
Phone: 909-558-4689
Fax: 909-558-0322