A cleft lip & palate is a congenital condition that occurs due to the abnormal development of facial structures in a fetus. Cleft lip & palate is characterized by the improper formation of a baby’s lip or mouth that causes it to have an opening (commonly referred to as cleft). This condition tends to lead to complications relating to feeding, talking, and problems with teeth. A cleft lip & palate is one of the most common birth defects in children. Dr. Ruben Cohen is a recognized leader in NYC at performing successful surgical operations on children with this disorder. Families from around the world seek out Dr. Cohen’s expertise.
A cleft lip and/or palate can result in problems with feeding, talking, and various dental problems. Additionally, it may also lead to social, emotional, and behavioral problems resulting from an altered physical appearance that causes varying psychological problems.
Since cleft lip and cleft palate are physical deformities, they are apparent at the time of birth without requiring any special tests. However, this condition can be detected before birth through a routine ultrasound evaluation around the 18th week of pregnancy. Further tests can be run during this time to gain a better understanding of other potential conditions that may also be present with a cleft lip & palate.
The oral & maxillofacial surgeon’s treatment for cleft lip and/or palate aims to provide complete functionality to the tissues in order to ensure proper ability to eat, speak, and breathe. This requires a surgical procedure that aims to fuse together the opening in the upper lip or mouth using techniques specific to the nature of the cleft. This often leads to a remarkably improved appearance as well as an immediate improvement in the ability to eat and speak.
Ruben Cohen is an oral & maxillofacial surgeon with specialized training in the treatment of cleft lip & palate abnormalities. During your first consultation with Ruben Cohen, DDS, he will discuss with you the details of the surgery, risks, complications, costs, recovery time, outcome and answer any questions you may have.