2. CLEFT PALATE (cheiloschisis) is a condition in which the
two palates of the skull that form the hard palate are not
completely joined. The soft palate in these cases are cleft
as well.

3. • Between the 6th and 12th weeks of fetal gestation,the left and right
sides of the face and facial skeleton fuse in the midddle. When they do
fail to do so, the result is a craniofacial cleft.
• Cleft palate without cleft lip occurs more in females (57%) than males
(43%).
• It is possible that facial clefts are caused by a disorder in the
migration of neural crest cells.
• Another theory is that facial clefts are caused by failure of the fusion
process and failure of inwards growth of the mesoderm.

4. INCOMPLETE CLEFT PALATE
• May occur as a hole in the roof of the mouth.
• Usually, it only includes the SOFT PALATE
UNILATERAL / BILATERAL COMPLETE CLEFT PALATE
• Extends through both the hard and soft palates, into the nasal
cavity
• Includes a gap in the jaw

6. MAY APPEAR AS: PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH
• A split in the roof of the OROFACIAL CLEFT:
palate that can affect both • Failure to gain weight
sided of the face • Feeding problems
• A split in the roof of the face • Flow of milk through nasal passage
that doesn’t affect the during feeding
appearance of the face. • Poor growth
• Speech difficulties
 Difficulty in swallowing
 Nasal Speaking voice
 Recurring ear infections
 Change in Nose shape
 Poorly aligned teeth

7. CLEFT PALATE is classified under MULTIFACTORIAL BIRTH DEFECT.
MULTIFACTORIAL BIRTH DEFECT = Genetic Factor + Environmental
Factor GENETIC FACTORS
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS •IRF6 Gene on chromosome 1
• Maternal smoking • MAFB gene on chromosome 20
• Maternal alcohol abuse • ABCA4 on chromosome 1
• Maternal diet and vitamin intake • a region on chromosome 8
• Medications take during pregnancy
• Exposure to viruses in chemicals of Common Examples of Multi factorial Birth
Defects are:
fetus
• Cleft lip/and palate
• Women with diabetes diagnosed • Club foot
before pregnancy • Congenital Heart Defects
• Neural Tube Defects (Spina Bifida)

8. • Dental Procedures on patient with cleft palate usually has no
difference with those patient with normal conditions.
• Proper and adequate care should be observed by the dentists.
• A team approach is required during difficult dental procedures such
as SURGERY.
A Partial List of Oral Problems in Children with Cleft Lip & Palate
•Feeding Problems
•Missing teeth- 50%
•Supernumerary Teeth- 20%
•Dystrophic (hypoplastic) teeth- 30%
•Disturbances of tooth eruption
•Ectopic tooth eruption
•Malocclusion- 100%
•Dental caries and gingivitis