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CLEFT LIP AND CLEFT PALATE

Dr. Neil L Starr

Many individuals around the world are born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate. These are facial developmental deformities/malformations that are fixable and Dr. Starr has the experience and training to help correct them. He performs dental rehabilitations for many different dental and dentofacial problems.

Dr. Starr has developed an expertise in restoring the dental deformities of the cleft lip/cleft palate patient. He has rebuilt their dentitions very carefully and strategically as part of a team of specialists correcting the cleft palate, the cleft lip, the position of the teeth in the line of the clefts and the underlying bony jaw structure and of course the soft tissue structure of the lip. Often there are audible corrections to the patient’s phonetics which may involve additional soft tissue surgical correction of the palate (Velopharyngeal), followed by corrective speech therapy as well.

Dr. Starr works with the team to create the very best outcome for his patients – “Whatever it takes!”. He is both proud and honored to have been part of many teams to create the dynamic changes these patients have experienced.

Ask him to show you the results of his treatments for these patients. We enjoy offering our expert cleft lip/cleft palate dental restorative treatments for patients. It allows us to help them find their smiles. Reach us here at Neil L.Starr, DDS, PC to learn more.

WHAT IS A CLEFT LIP AND A CLEFT PALATE?

A cleft is a gap formed in the upper lip or the palate. It is a deformity that occurs during the early stages of pregnancy. Lip formation happens during the 4th to 7th weeks of pregnancy. The body, tissues, and cells of a baby form from the sides towards the center to connect. If the joining of tissues that forms facial features such as the lips and palate are incomplete, this will result in a cleft lip or palate. Cleft lip and cleft palate can happen on one or both sides of the mouth. Thus, a baby can have a cleft lip without a cleft palate, a cleft palate without a cleft lip or the baby can have both. The development of cleft lip and cleft palate occurs separately, meaning the occurrence is independent of one another. A cleft lip and cleft palate happen in one baby out of every 700 born, making it a relatively common birth defect. Cleft lip and cleft palate is more common in boys than girls and is more prominent with children from the Asian, Latino, and Native American origins.

WHAT CAUSES CLEFT LIP AND CLEFT PALATE?

The cause of these conditions is unknown even after all these years. One common belief is that it comes from a mixture of genes and environmental factors. If a relative or family member was born having a cleft lip and cleft palate, then there is a higher possibility of developing this condition, as compared to others with no family history. Also, when the mother is taking harmful medications, such as anti-seizure medications, during her pregnancy, this can be a factor and contribute to the increased risk of developing the irregularity in the child. In this era of technological advancement, a baby can be diagnosed with a cleft lip and cleft palate before birth through a prenatal ultrasound. To confirm further or rule out this diagnosis, a few diagnostic tests will be done.

TREATMENT OF CLEFT LIP AND CLEFT PALATE

Dr. Starr of Neil L. Starr, DDS, PC has brought back so many smiles of cleft patients. He is a well-known and respected prosthodontist, with over 40 years of experience in dental reconstruction, restoration, and cosmetics. We value the smiles of all our patients and hope to see more in the world. We believe that nobody has the right to take away your smile, not even a cleft issue. Give us a chance to help you realize your best smile. Call us now at (202) 293-7177 to know more about us and the procedures we offer.