cleft Lip

Cleft lip and plate is one of the most common congenital anomalies in the world and on average 1 in every 500-750 live birth results in a cleft. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently estimated each year in the United States about 2650 babies are born with cleft palate and 4,440 babies are born with cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate is complex and requires a multidisciplinary team with several treatment interventions. Proper sequencing and timing of orthodontic and surgical treatment are important for successful long-term outcomes.

There are five types of cleft lip

Forme fruste or microform cleft lip: A small indentation on one or both sides of the lip

Incomplete unilateral cleft lip: A separation on one side of the lip that does not extend into the nose

Complete unilateral cleft lip: A separation on one side of the lip that extends up into the nose and typically involves the gum ridge and palate

Incomplete bilateral cleft lip: A separation on both sides of the lip that do not extend into the nose

Complete bilateral cleft lip: A separation on both sides of the lip that extend up into the nose and typically involve the gum ridge and palate

There are three types of cleft palate

Incomplete cleft palate: Separation at the back on the roof of the mouth, called the soft palate

Complete cleft palate: Separation at the front and back on the roof of the mouth, called the soft and hard palates

Submucous cleft palate: Separation of the muscles within the soft palate but mucous membrane is closed.

There are different Presurgical Infant Orthopedics Therapy (PSIO) methods practiced at American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) approved cleft teams in North America*. Your provider will make appropriate recommendations on the type of PSIO therapy that your child will benefit from based on the clinical evaluation. Each of these appliances have pros and cons and your provider will discuss them with you.

Avinoam, S.P., Kowalski, H.R., Chaya, B.F. and Shetye, P.R., 2022. Current presurgical infant orthopedics practices among American cleft palate association–approved cleft teams in North America. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 33(8), pp.2522-2528.