Cleft Lip & Palate Surgical Care
Comprehensive Treatment from Infancy to Adulthood
An individual with a cleft lip and/or palate can expect to undergo multiple sequential surgeries over the first 18 years of his or her life. These surgeries create a functional lip and palate, aid in proper speech development, reduce middle ear problems, help reduce social stigmas, and aid in the proper development of the teeth and facial bones.
Surgical Timeline
Cleft Lip Repair
3–6 months old
Closes the gap in the lip, improving feeding, appearance, and facial structure. Minimizes scarring with advanced techniques.
Cleft Palate Repair
9–18 months old
Closes the soft and hard palate to aid speech development and prevent nasal regurgitation. Reduces ear infection risks.
Ear Tube Placement
Often during palate repair
Tympanostomy tubes prevent chronic ear infections and hearing loss by improving Eustachian tube function.
Speech Surgery (if needed)
Ages 3–6
Procedures like a pharyngeal flap or furlow palatoplasty improve velopharyngeal function for clearer speech.
Alveolar Bone Graft
Ages 6–12
Stabilizes the upper jaw with bone grafting, enabling proper tooth development and orthodontic treatment.
Jaw Surgery (if needed)
Mid-to-late teens
Corrects severe underbites or facial asymmetry through orthognathic (jaw repositioning) surgery.
Rhinoplasty & Final Revisions
Late teens
Enhances nasal symmetry and function after facial growth is complete.