There is a child with cleft palate that was adopted by family members, outside of my immediate family. For personal reasons and family sensitivities, I don’t want to give any details about the family dynamics. We don’t live in Illinois. I am doing this research on my own and will relate it to my family at the right time. I would like to know what happens if cleft palate goes untreated. Thanks. J.B.
J.B. –
During pregnancy when the left and right sides of the roof the mouth do not grow together and fuse, an opening or cleft remains. The cleft can affect part, or all, of the roof of the mouth.
There are several difficulties that can arise if a cleft palate is left untreated. Some of them are listed below.
- Chronic dental problems, including misaligned or malformed teeth
- Speech problems
- Ear infections, due to fluid not draining properly from the ears
- Impaired hearing
- Speech problems
- Fluids can enter the nasal cavity while drinking
- Difficult social interactions – A person with cleft palate can be self-conscious about his or her physical appearance, which can cause him or her to limit social interaction.
Although circumstances vary with each family, we encourage at least a consultation with a board-certified prosthodontist for an examination of individuals with cleft palate. This is an obligation-free opportunity to get the opinion of a skilled specialist and to discuss treatment options.
This post is sponsored by Naperville board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.
