Cleft Palate

Cleft Palates in Regional NSW

What is a Cleft Palate?

Cleft palates affect roughly 1 in 800 births. The defect occurs when a baby’s palate and lips do not form properly during pregnancy. As a result, a child will have a gap within the formation of their upper lip, gum and/or palate. This can be amended with surgery, but will usually require interceptive dental and orthodontic treatments.

At Tamworth Orthocare, we provide orthodontic treatments for children born with cleft lips, gums and palates. We have the skills and training to diagnose and treat these issues—undertaking oral health monitoring throughout the course of your child’s care. Our service is available for clients in Regional NSW, including Tamworth, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Armidale, Muswellbrook and Scone.

The risk of a child being born with a cleft palate depends on a range of factors including family history. Smoking, diabetes and certain medications can also increase this risk. Get in touch with our team for cleft palate orthodontic treatments today.

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Upper Arch Expansion

Some children with cleft palates require alveolar bone graft surgery, usually around the age of 8–12. Tamworth Orthocare can provide a range of treatments at this early stage to aid in your child’s recovery. One form of treatment involves expanding the upper arch the mouth with a specialised plate that’s glued to the teeth.

Our team has the knowledge and training to provide treatment in accordance with the plans outlined by maxillofacial surgeons. We work in conjunction with allied health professionals of all types, including restorative dentists. This is especially important during the time that adult and baby teeth are present together (ages 5–12).

We see children at regular intervals during this phase, ensuring the healthy growth of their jaw and teeth. There are many factors to consider in the growth of the upper jaw, and these vary considerably across patients with cleft palates. Get in touch with Tamworth Orthocare for more information about our services.

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Braces & Aligners

Children with cleft palates will often have to wait longer before having their teeth straightened with braces, usually until after adolescence. That’s because additional time is required for the jaw to be aligned through other interceptive treatments, as well as the growth associated with regular facial development.

From here, our orthodontists will provide targeted treatment in the form of metal and ceramic braces. Working with restorative dentists, maxillofacial surgeons and other professionals, our team can help to create a targeted treatment plan for clients with cleft palates. Get in touch with Tamworth Orthocare on (02) 6766 5833.

Missing or Removed Teeth

We work with restorative dentists to provide solutions for clients with teeth that are missing or extracted due to a cleft palate. This sometimes requires the use of a dental implant or a removeable prosthetic. In other instances, the gap can be closed with the use of a ceramic or metal braces.

To learn more about the services we provide children and adults with cleft palates or complications formed by them, get in touch with Tamworth Orthocare today. We are proud to serve clients from all walks of life, with trustworthy, focused and high-quality treatments. Book an appointment on (02) 6766 5833 .

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