A bilateral cleft lip is a common birth defect in which a baby's lip doesn't form properly, resulting in splits (clefts) on both sides of the lip.
A bilateral cleft lip may appear as small notches in the edges of the lip only or extend into the nose or gums. A child may be born with just a cleft lip or may have a cleft palate as well, which is a split in the roof of the mouth
Sometimes a cleft occurs as part of a syndrome, meaning there are other birth defects. Other times, it's genetic and runs in families. A cleft also can be associated with environmental factors, such as a woman's use of certain medications, exposure to cigarette smoke, or lack of certain vitamins while pregnant. Most of the time, though, the cause isn't known
Cleft lip can be associated with other problems, including feeding difficulties, fluid buildup in the middle ear and hearing loss, dental abnormalities, and speech difficulties.
The good news is that cleft lip is treatable. Most babies born with cleft lip can have surgery to repair the defect between the ages of 3 to 6 months, and will go on to lead normal, healthy lives. They may, however, need to have additional surgeries as they grow older.
Mal positioned, malformed and missing teeth are a regular result of unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate, but it is possible to have healthy teeth with good oral care despite this defect. we recommends visiting a dentist with experience in treating babies and children with clefts. Fluoride treatments, thorough cleaning and a healthy diet are just as essential for reducing the risks of dental problems. As soon as the primary teeth appear, they should still be brushed twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.first dental visit should occur by the first birthday – or earlier if there are other outstanding problems.
Our special teams can provide treatment for cleft lip to minimize its effects on appearance, health and important abilities such as chewing and speaking. Timely care from these medical professionals can ensure any child with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip suffers few to no long-term effects.
