When is cleft lip or palate surgery performed?

Timing varies by case, but cleft lip repair is often performed within the first few months of life, while palate repair is typically completed within the first year.

Will my child need multiple surgeries?

Some patients require staged procedures over time depending on growth, development, and the severity of the cleft condition.

Can cleft conditions affect speech?

Yes. Cleft lip and palate can impact speech development, which is why speech therapy is often part of long-term treatment.

What specialists are involved in cleft care?

Care may include craniofacial surgeons, speech pathologists, orthodontists, pediatricians, and feeding specialists working together as a team.

Cleft Lip Treatment Kansas City

Early Care Matters

An estimated 1 in 750 babies globally are born with a cleft. Expert care can help make their lives easier.

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What Is a Cleft Lip
or Palate?

A cleft lip or palate is a congenital condition where the lip, roof of the mouth, or both do not fully form during early pregnancy. This opening can affect appearance, feeding, speech, and dental development, and often requires coordinated long-term care from a multidisciplinary team.

Why Cleft
Conditions Need
to Be Treated

The effects of a cleft lip or palate vary based on the severity of the split, but most often affect speech and feeding.

Feeding Difficulties

Infants with a cleft palate may have difficulty creating suction, making feeding challenging and requiring specialized feeding strategies or support.

Speech Development Issues

Cleft conditions can impact how air flows through the mouth and nose, affecting speech clarity, resonance, and language development over time.

Does a Cleft Require Surgery?

Yes, clefts typically require surgery to avoid long-term difficulties like:

Nutrition & Weight

Newborns may struggle with suction, frequent milk leakage from the nose, prolonged feeding times, or poor weight gain due to an opening in the lip or palate.

Speech & Airflow Differences

As a child grows, speech may sound nasal or unclear, and air may escape through the nose during speaking due to the opening in the palate.

Ongoing Developmental Needs

Even after early treatment, children may need continued care for dental development, jaw growth, speech progression, and facial symmetry over time.

Structural Gaps in the Lip or Mouth

A visible separation in the upper lip, gumline, or roof of the mouth may be present at birth and can affect both appearance and function.

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Get in touch with our specialists to talk about next steps and treatment options.

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What to Expect

01

Exam

We complete a comprehensive evaluation to assess cleft severity, feeding concerns, speech development, and overall oral-facial function.
02

Surgery

When appropriate, we plan for surgical repair to restore structure and support long-term function and development.
03

Ongoing Care

Children with cleft conditions often benefit from follow-up care including monitoring speech, dental growth, and facial development, along with additional therapies as needed.

Explore Available Care Options

Comprehensive surgical care for cleft conditions and complex craniofacial concerns.

Cleft & Craniofacial Surgery

Coordinated
Lifelong Care

Cleft treatment is not a single procedure—it is a long-term journey. Our multidisciplinary team works together to support patients from infancy through adolescence and into adulthood when needed. By combining surgical care, speech therapy, orthodontics, and feeding support, we ensure every aspect of development is carefully guided and supported.