Cleft Lip and Palate

Cleft lip or cleft lip and palate is one of the most common physical disorders seen at birth. In cases of cleft lip, there is a cleft in the upper lip, and in cases of cleft palate, there is a cleft in the palate (roof of the mouth). Cleft lip and palate are seen in 1 out of every 700 babies, cleft lip in 1 out of every 1000 babies, and cleft palate in 1 out of every 2000 babies.

Cleft lip and palate can generally have a genetic background. Having cleft lip and palate in parents and relatives increases the risk. Factors that cause cleft lip and palate are as follows:

1. Genetics
2. Consanguineous marriage
3. Use of medication during pregnancy
4. Use of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes
5. Exposure to radiation during pregnancy
6. Late-term pregnancy
7. Diseases during pregnancy

Duties of the Orthodontist

Treatment of babies with cleft lip and palate requires teamwork. As a member of this team, the orthodontist is responsible for providing correct guidance for the growth and development of the face and teeth from birth to maturity.

Dudak damak yarıklı bebeklerde doğum sonrası dönemlerde ortodontistin yaptığı nasoalveoler molding denilen işlem sayesinde, yarık bölgesindeki segmentler birbirine yaklaştırılmakta ve böylece plastik cerrah yumuşak dokuları daha gerilimsiz bir ortamda opere edebilmektedir. Dudak operasyonları genellikle 5-6. aylarda, damak operasyonu ise 12-14. aylarda yapılmaktadır. Bu da dudakta daha iyi bir estetiğin ve normal yüz gelişiminin sağlanmasına olanak vermektedir.

In babies with cleft lip and palate, the segments in the cleft area are brought closer together by the procedure called nasoalveolar molding, which is performed by the orthodontist in the postnatal period, and thus the plastic surgeon can operate on the soft tissues in a less stressful environment. Lip operations are usually performed in the 5th-6th months, and palate operations in the 12th-14th months. This allows for better aesthetics in the lip and normal facial development.