Are cleft lips and cleft palates curable?

Yes, cleft lips and palates are both curable with modern medical treatments. Cleft lip and palate surgeries are some of the most commonly performed procedures in reconstructive plastic surgery, and with the advancements in modern medicine over the past decades, outcomes for these surgeries have been extremely successful. There are a variety of treatment options depending on the severity of the cleft lip or palate, which can include speech therapy to help with any language delays caused by oral abnormalities as well as repair of associated facial deformities. Generally speaking, these treatments can yield excellent outcomes that improve functional capabilities such as eating, drinking and speaking while also restoring patients’ overall aesthetic appearance. If left untreated however, due to difficulty swallowing food or drink, people may be at risk for malnutrition or dehydration. It’s therefore important to seek medical attention if your child has a cleft lip or palate so they get proper care right away!