Knowledge sharing

	The University of Oklahoma
	An Interdisciplinary Team Approach to Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Problems

Knowledge Sharing/Services

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	What is Cleft Lip & Palate?
	Surgical Repair
	Speech Therapy
	Maxillofacial Prosthodontics
	Orthodontics
	Glossary

The unspoken question, "why did it happen"?
Cleft lip, cleft palate or both is a congenital (birth) defect which is present at birth. It will happen approximately every 700 to 750 births and is probably the most common of congenital birth defects. The defect occurs in males and females and it occurs in all races.

No one knows the exact reason that clefts of the oral structures occur and no research has shown any specific cause. The most common theory is that the majority of clefts are due to a genetic predisposition, that when mixed with certain environmental factors, create the malformation. There is some recent evidence that folic acid may reduce the incidence of clefts but this research is still taking place. Clefting occurs at about five to nine weeks into the pregnancy, therefore we know that clefting cannot be caused by events occurring in middle or late pregnancy.

Services Offered

Prenatal Counseling
With the latest technology available to obstetricians , in the form of high resolution ultrasound and three-dimensional ultrasound, the diagnosis of cleft can be made prior to the baby's birth. our center offers prenatal counseling for parents prior to the birth of infants with cleft lip. This service includes discussions of genetics, surgical procedures, what to expect at birth, feeding issues on how to feed the baby, speech and language pathology issues, audiology issues. We have found through this service that well-informed parents are much happier at the birth and have better understanding of the needs of their special child.

Pre-Surgical Treatment of Cleft Lip
Cleft lip and cleft lip nasal deformities can be modulated with pre-surgical oral appliances that can improve the post-surgical lip and nasal appearance. By using an appliance to mold the cleft lip, upper jaw, alveolus and nose prior to surgery, we can achieve better results. This may lessen the extent of surgery necessary and number of subsequent procedures.

Maxillofacial Surgery
State of the art craniofacial techniques offer the best repair of major deformations of the skull, orbits, jaws and face.

Computer Assisted Imaging & Treatment Planning
Computers may be used to accurately plan movement of cranial and facial bones during surgery. Through the use of 3-D CTs and the use of CTs to fabricate models of the cranial and facial bones, a better overall plan of surgical procedures and explanation of the procedures to patients can be facilitated.