Cleft Lip & Palate Surgery
in Orlando, FL
Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery
At Orofacial & Dental Implant Surgery, we believe every child deserves the chance to speak clearly, smile confidently, and live comfortably. If your child has been diagnosed with a cleft lip, cleft palate, or both, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right hands.
Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon provides specialized surgical care for cleft conditions, using advanced techniques and a gentle, team-based approach. We’re proud to serve families throughout Orlando, FL, helping patients of all ages experience life-changing results in both form and function.
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What is a Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate?
A cleft lip is a split or gap in the upper lip. A cleft palate is a similar opening in the roof of the mouth. These conditions can occur separately or together, and they form during early development in the womb. Cleft conditions vary in severity and can affect:
- Speech and language development
- Feeding and swallowing
- Breathing and sinus function
- Ear health and hearing
- Dental growth and alignment
- Facial appearance and self-esteem
These are common congenital conditions that can be successfully treated through oral surgery. Early intervention provides the best outcomes—both medically and emotionally.
How Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery Is Performed
Every patient is different, and each surgical plan is uniquely tailored. However, most cleft repairs follow these general steps:
- Initial Evaluation – We begin with a complete exam, imaging (such as 3D scans), and a collaborative treatment plan that may involve a pediatrician, orthodontist, speech therapist, or ENT specialist.
- Surgical Repair – For infants, cleft lip surgery typically takes place around 3–6 months of age, while cleft palate repair is performed closer to 9–18 months. The surgery is done under general anesthesia in a hospital or surgical center.
- Tissue Reconstruction – The surgeon carefully repositions and closes the gap using surrounding tissue. Advanced suturing techniques minimize scarring and improve both function and appearance.
- Follow-Up Procedures – Some patients may require additional surgeries for speech improvement, dental issues, or cosmetic refinement as they grow.
For teens and adults who were never treated or need revision surgery, we offer customized cleft correction procedures using the latest oral and maxillofacial surgical techniques.
Why Choose a Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?
When it comes to cleft treatment, surgical precision matters—so does experience. At Orofacial & Dental Implant Surgery, procedures are performed by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a specialist in facial anatomy, growth, and reconstruction.
What board certification means for you and your child:
- Extensive medical and surgical training beyond dental school
- Expertise in pediatric and adult cleft cases
- Proficiency in anesthesia and hospital-based surgery
- A proven commitment to safety, outcomes, and compassionate care
We proudly serve patients in Orlando, FL, working closely with families and healthcare teams to deliver trusted, transformative results.
Who Can Benefit From Cleft Lip or Palate Surgery?
Cleft surgery can benefit a wide range of patients, including:
- Infants and children born with a cleft lip, cleft palate, or both
- Teens who need follow-up or revision surgery
- Adults who did not have access to care earlier in life
- Patients experiencing issues with speech, hearing, dental alignment, or self-confidence due to an untreated or previously repaired cleft
- Children preparing for braces or dental implants who require jaw or tissue correction beforehand
Even if treatment was started years ago, it's never too late to seek evaluation or revision surgery for improved function and aesthetics.
Schedule a Consultation with a Cleft Surgery Specialist in Orlando, FL
If your child has a cleft lip or palate—or if you’re an adult seeking revision care—trust the board-certified experts at Orofacial & Dental Implant Surgery. We’re here to offer clarity, support, and a pathway to lasting results.
Schedule a personalized consultation with our oral and maxillofacial surgery team in Orlando, FL. Let’s build a brighter future—together.
Symptoms That May Require Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate Surgery
- Visible gap or split in the upper lip
- Opening or hole in the roof of the mouth (palate)
- Difficulty breastfeeding or bottle feeding (milk leaking from the nose)
- Nasal-sounding or unclear speech
- Delayed or impaired speech development
- Frequent ear infections or fluid buildup in the ears
- Hearing difficulties associated with cleft-related ear issues
- Chronic nasal congestion or breathing problems
- Visible facial imbalance or asymmetry
- Problems swallowing without food or liquid entering the nose
- Missing, misaligned, or extra teeth near the cleft site
- Gap between the two front teeth (premaxillary region)
- Low self-esteem related to appearance or speech
- Difficulty wearing dentures or dental appliances (in older patients)
- Persistent open bite or abnormal jaw alignment
These symptoms often appear early in life, but some patients may continue to experience them into adolescence or adulthood—especially if previous treatments were incomplete or unavailable. If you or your child is experiencing any of these issues, a consultation with a cleft surgery specialist in Orlando, FL can help determine the next best step.
Conditions That May Require Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery
- Cleft Lip – A congenital split or opening in the upper lip, which may be unilateral (one side) or bilateral (both sides).
- Cleft Palate – An opening or gap in the roof of the mouth (soft palate, hard palate, or both).
- Cleft Lip and Palate (combined) – A condition where both the lip and palate are affected, often resulting in more complex feeding, speech, and dental issues.
- Incomplete Cleft Lip – A partial cleft that does not extend all the way to the nose.
- Complete Cleft Lip – A cleft that extends from the lip through the nose and may affect the alveolus (gum ridge).
- Submucous Cleft Palate – A hidden cleft beneath the mucous membrane of the palate that can affect speech and feeding.
- Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI) – A condition where the soft palate fails to close properly against the back of the throat during speech, often due to an untreated or poorly repaired cleft palate.
- Alveolar Cleft – A cleft affecting the upper gum ridge, which can lead to missing or misaligned teeth and require bone grafting.
- Cleft-Associated Dental Malocclusion – Jaw and bite problems resulting from a cleft affecting facial development.
- Nasal Deformities Associated With Cleft Lip – Structural nose asymmetries that often accompany cleft lip.
- Cleft-Related Hearing Loss – Resulting from chronic ear infections or fluid buildup due to cleft palate.
- Feeding Disorders in Infants – Caused by a cleft palate that interferes with suction.
- Facial Growth Abnormalities – Bone development issues in the midface caused by an unrepaired or improperly treated cleft.
- Speech Disorders Related to Palatal Gaps – Often requiring palate repair or secondary speech surgeries.
- Failed or Incomplete Previous Cleft Surgery – Patients who need revision surgery for functional or cosmetic reasons.
These conditions can affect infants, children, teens, and adults—and they are best treated by an experienced team that includes a board-certified oral surgeon. If you’re in Orlando, FL, Orofacial & Dental Implant Surgery offers expert care and lifelong results.
Empowering Patients Through Education
Informed Consent & Oral Surgery VideosAt Orofacial & Dental Implant Surgery, we’re dedicated to providing the best oral surgery experience, and part of that means upholding the highest ethical standards. As part of this commitment, we offer a comprehensive Patient Library.
In our Patient Library, you will find special videos designed to promote transparency, reduce anxiety, and ensure every patient feels confident and well-informed before treatment.
- Informed Consent Videos help patients understand the risks and benefits.
- General Education Videos and our other resources help patients fully understand the procedures, the preparation, and the recovery phases.